LEEDS RHINOS MATCH REPORT

Our pre-season campaign came to an end with a 46-16 defeat at Leeds Rhinos in Cameron Smith’s testimonial this afternoon – with a number of players getting valuable minutes in the tank ahead of the 2026 Super League season.

Defences were firmly on top early doors with the scoreboard untroubled in an attritional opening quarter. 

The home side would break the deadlock on 21 minutes when a high, hanging kick from Jake Connor was palmed backwards, finding its way to Ash Handley to score in the left corner.

Joe Keyes provided an instant response for Bradford, slicing through the Rhinos defence and racing home from 40 metres out. 

With 33 minutes on the clock, Connor once again proved influential as his chip in behind was collected by Handley for his second of the game. 

Ethan O’Neill crashed over from close range to extend Leeds’ advantage with half time on the horizon. 

But with seconds left on the clock, Ethan Ryan rolled back the years with an acrobatic finish in the left corner to reduce the deficit.   

Leeds enjoyed the perfect start to the second half with a flick pass from Connor sending Croft over. 

Bradford refused to buckle and Ryan got his second with another trademark acrobatic effort in the left corner.

Croft grabbed himself a second score approaching the hour mark, dabbing down a neat grubber from Lachlan Miller. 

A hat-trick score came minutes later with a show and go before touching down under the posts. 

In the final ten minutes, Cameron Smith stretched out to score in his testimonial fixture, converting 4 into 6. 

The final act of the game saw Presley Cassell score on the back of a powerplay for the Rhinos. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Luke Hooley, Jayden Okunbor, Connor Wynne, Waqa Blake, Ethan Ryan, Jayden Nikorima, Joe Keyes, Loghan Lewis, Mitch Souter, Eribe Doro, Dan Russell, Leon Ruan, Eliot Peposhi. INTERCHANGES: Caleb Aekins, Jamie Gill, Ronan Michael, Sam Hallas, Brandon Douglas, Esan Marsters. 

TRIES: Ryan (2), Keyes

GOALS: Hooley 2/2, Okunbor (0/1)