Leeds Rhinos 26, Bradford Bulls 12
RHYS Jacks played the second half as the Bulls let slip a 12-10 interval lead to lose an entertaining encounter in their opening pre-season friendly at Super League champions Leeds.
The Australian trialist, bidding to earn a contract for the 2016 campaign, looked sharp and willing to take on the Rhinos’ line but the hosts dominated the second half and ran out worthy winners in Carl Ablett's testimonial match.
There were plenty of positives for Bulls head coach Jimmy Lowes to take, though, as his men opened the scoring through Kris Welham’s fine individual score and led 12-10 at half-time.
Moreover, they were generally competitive throughout and the performance of new recruits such as Welham, Ben Kavanagh and Jonathan Walker will encourage the legendary former Bradford hooker.
After Welham’s opener, Danny McGuire hit back with a superb long-range effort for Leeds only for Adam O’Brien to combine brilliantly with Lee Gaskell for a second Bradford score.
Tom Briscoe’s effort shortly before half-time cut the Bulls’ lead to two points at 12-10 before the hosts largely dominated the second half.
Ryan Hall finished off some scintillating handling and Mitch Achurch barged over from close range before Rob Burrow dummied through the Bulls defence and then outpaced Oscar Thomas to score in the left corner.
New Leeds hooker Beau Falloon then added a sixth home try in the closing stages before testimonial man Ablett missed the conversion.
New signings Thomas, Welham, Kavanagh, Kurt Haggerty and Walker all featured while youngsters Ethan Ryan and Joe Lumb were among the 11 replacements who came off the bench.
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