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Rugby League

Leeds brush off Bradford challenge

27/05/2006

Leeds moved to within three points of Super League leaders St Helens as they brushed aside the challenge of Bradford Bulls with a 30-0 win at Osdal.

The visitors scored five tries as Bradford failed to shake off the headache of their Challenge Cup exit last weekend.

Bradford's cause wasn't helped by the late withdraws of Brett Ferres and Michael Withers because of a virus but they looked to be in fine form as they were the better side in the opening half.

They should have scored through Shontayne Hape but he fumbled the ball when the line was at his mercy.

However, it was Leeds who opened the scoring as Rob Burrow went over after combining well with Keith Senior and the visitors led 6-0 at the break.

Leeds extended their lead early in the second half when replacement Willie Poching got on the end of Kevin Sinfield's kick to go over.

Iestyn Harris almost got the Bulls on the scoreboard when he broke through the Leeds defence but in doing so he lost the ball and the chance was wasted.

The Rhinos increased their lead on the hour as Chev Walker bulldozed his way into the left corner and this signalled the end for the home side's chances of victory.

Their misery was compounded in the final ten minutes as Ryan Bailey shrugged off four tackles to score and Senior got a reward for a good performance when he went over after a solo break.

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