The Leeds Rhinos triumphed over the Bradford Bulls with a decisive 50-16 victory on July 5, 2026, extending their lead in the Super League to four points. The match, part of the Betfred Super League Magic Weekend, showcased a stellar performance from Ash Handley, who achieved a hat-trick, marking his 150th career try.
Leeds Rhinos' Dominance in the Match
Leeds scored a total of nine tries against Bradford, achieving their 11th win in 12 matches. The scoring opened with Brodie Croft's try in the ninth minute, assisted by Jarrod O'Connor's clever kick. Leeds quickly followed with additional tries from Chris Hankinson, O'Connor, and James McDonnell, establishing a solid lead.
Bradford attempted to respond, with Ethan Ryan scoring twice early in the second half, bringing his tally to 100 tries for the Bulls. However, Leeds quickly regained control, with Handley scoring his first try of the match, followed by a series of impressive plays that further solidified their lead.
Key Performers and Highlights
Ash Handley's performance was particularly noteworthy as he completed his hat-trick in the final moments of the game, capping a remarkable day for the Rhinos. Other key contributors included Jake Connor, who assisted Handley's tries, and Maiko Sivo, who scored his 28th try of the season, just shy of the record for consecutive games.
- Leeds Tries: Croft, Hankinson, O'Connor, McDonnell, Handley (3), Connor, Sivo
- Bradford Tries: Aekins, Ryan (2)
- Goals: Connor (7), Hooley (2)
Coaches' Reactions and Future Prospects
Leeds coach Brad Arthur praised Handley's leadership, stating, "Every week he does the same for us... It’s been a really good month for us." He also expressed concern over Ryan Hall's injury, hoping it wouldn't sideline him for long.
On the other hand, Bradford coach Kurt Haggerty acknowledged his team's lack of resilience, stating, "In the first half, I thought we were very poor... Overall, I thought we showed a lot of effort and commitment, just not enough quality." Despite the loss, Bradford showed glimpses of potential that could be developed in future matches.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
