The Bulls suffered a heartbreaking defeat to open the new Super League season, losing to Leeds in controversial circumstances.

Referee Steve Ganson awarded the Rhinos a penalty try two minutes from time when Ben Jones-Bishop was taken out off the ball by Gareth Raynor, providing a sickening end to an otherwise encouraging afternoon.

The Bulls had been in a strong position, leading 28-10 when Elliott Whitehead completed his hat-trick on 53 minutes but just ran out of steam.

To add further insult, Jamie Langley suffered a dislocated shoulder and could now face a month on the sidelines.

Leeds took the lead when Jones Bishop scored after four minutes but Bradford hit back, Whitehead scoring twice off kicks from Kyle Briggs and Brett Kearney.

Patrick Ah Van added an interception try after picking off a pass from Brent Webb and also kicked two goals.

But Leeds cut the gap with a Ryan Hall try and Kevin Sinfield penalty to make it 16-10 at the break.

Bradford started the second half in impressive fashion, Matt Diskin and Whitehead scoring, Ah Van converting both, before Chev Walker had a try strangely disallowed by the video referee.

As the Bulls tired, the Rhinos used all their experience, Jones-Bishop, Rob Burrow and Kylie Leuluai all scoring to set up the late drama.

Bulls: Shad Royston; Patrick Ah Van, Michael Platt, Chev Walker, Gareth Raynor; Kyle Briggs, Brett Kearney; Andy Lynch, Heath L'Estrange, Bryn Hargreaves, Olivier Elima, Elliott Whitehead, Jamie Langley. Interchange: Matt Diskin, Nick Scruton, Craig Kopczak, Ian Sibbit.

Rhinos: Brent Webb, Ben Jones-Bishop, Brett Delaney, Keith Senior, Ryan Hall; Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow; Kylie Leuluai, Danny Buderus, Ben Cross, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ali Lauitiiti, Carl Ablett. Interchange: Luke Burgess, Ian Kirke, Jay Pitts, Kallum Watkins.