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Rugby League

Leeds climb to Super League summit

05/04/2007

Leeds have taken control at the top of the Super League, heading into the Easter weekend with an 18-14 away win at Bradford Bulls.

Coming into the game the Odsal Bowl side had led the table by virtue of a slender points difference advantage with local rivals Leeds and Wakefield hot on their trail.

Early on it seemed that the hosts were in the mood to bolster that position as Paul Deacon slotted two goals to edge them into a solid lead.

Leeds managed to weather the storm however, hitting back with a try from Scott Donald that levelled the scores after a storming run from Keith Senior.

Brent Webb had been sin-binned for the Rhinos after a tackle strayed high during Bradford's powerful start and the numerical disadvantage told as the defence ran out of numbers to stop Marcus St Hilaire touching down shortly after to put the home side back into the lead.

Kevin Sinfield and Deacon traded a penalty apiece before the break as Bradford returned to the dressing rooms guarding a 10-6 advantage.

Lesley Vainikolo's try after the restart may have seemed to push the game out of reach for Leeds, but they fought back superbly to overhaul the eight-point gap.

Gareth Ellis exploited some sloppy defence to scoot in and gather Rob Burrows' probing kick through while Sinfield landed another shot at goal to draw victory into sight.

Donald took the glory in the end, rounding of a slick passing move to score in the corner and move his side two points clear at the top.

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