Leeds Give Harris Food for Thought

Iestyn Harris' decision to choose Bradford ahead of Leeds on his return to the Super League does not look such a smart one this morning.

Harris, who is already being sued by the Rhinos for breach of contract, was chastened at the ground where he was a hero before leaving for Welsh rugby union three years ago. He was booed by the majority of a crowd of 21,225 as his new team was thrashed by his old.

Inspired by two more brilliant tries from Danny McGuire, the 21-year-old who has broken the Super League record this season from Harris' former stand-off position, Leeds played some dazzling rugby to move seven points clear at the top of the table. They now need only one more win from their remaining four matches to ensure they finish top, for the first time since Leeds last won the championship in 1972.

Bradford's night was summed up when Leon Pryce was sent to the sin-bin twice late in the match. Harris did score one of their second-half consolation tries but he was not in the mood to celebrate.

Bradford were 18-0 behind within 15 minutes, without having done much wrong.

McGuire set the tone within 60 seconds, beating Stuart Reardon with brilliant footwork. Bradford were within inches of equalizing when Lesley Vainikolo crashed over in the corner, but the video referee ruled that his boot had brushed the touchline.

Instead the Rhinos doubled their lead when Matt Adamson brushed off a weak tackle by Logan Swann to send over Chris McKenna, and their third try followed on the next attack when Keith Senior took Kevin Sinfield's high kick and found Ali Lauiti'iti in support.

The Bulls responded with spirit, but Leeds soaked up the pressure to hit back with two more scores, McKenna laying on another for McGuire before collecting a second of his own.

The second half started as the first had ended, with a rampaging individual score from Leeds's wing Marcus Bai, and Jamie Jones-Buchanan brought up the 40.

Leeds Rhinos : Mathers; Walker, McKenna, Senior, Bai; Sinfield, McGuire; Ward, Diskin, McDonald, Adamson, Lauiti'iti, Poching. Subs: Burrow, Bailey, McDermott, Jones-Buchanan.

Bradford Bulls : Reardon; L Pryce, Withers, Hape, Vainikolo; Harris, Deacon; Fielden, Paul, Parker, Peacock, Swann, Radford. Subs : Pratt, Johnson, Langley, Moore.

Referee: K Kirkpatrick (Warrington).