Highs continue for Lowes

Brett Kearney: could not come out for the second half

Kevin Sinfield: sin-binning did not prove crucial

Leeds overcame the sin-binning of captain Kevin Sinfield to secure a 34-16 derby win over Bradford.

The Rhinos were clinging to a tenuous 18-6 lead when Sinfield was shown a yellow card for tackling a Bradford player without the ball 17 minutes into the second half, but his 12 team-mates defended superbly to keep the visitors at bay in his absence.

"Kev was trying to stop a try and, in the position he was, the sin-binning was fair enough," said Leeds assistant coach James Lowes.

"How the players reacted to that defensively with 12 men was tremendous.

"We had to work hard for the win, which was to be expected against Bradford.

"After last Saturday, we were on the crest of a wave and it was quite emotional through the week. I thought it would affect us but I thought we pushed through real strong. All in all, we're very pleased."

Bradford full-back Brett Kearney failed to re-appear for the second half after taking a heavy knock before half-time.

"He was concussed," said Bulls coach Mick Potter. "He vomited at half-time and deteriorated quickly.

"To lose one of your key players does knock you around. He was very good in the first half."

Errors

Potter added: "I thought the score didn't reflect how hard the game was. "Unfortunately we came up with errors at crucial times and it cost us six points each time."

Potter is continuing to work unpaid after being made redundant by the administrator running the Bradford club.

The Bulls are still gripped by uncertainty amid confusion over an offer for the club from a local group of Asian businessmen, but the Australian says he will prepare the team for their next match at Warrington on Sunday week.

"I'll see what transpires this week," he said. "I'm still here so I might as well just drive into work as sit at home."

Sky Bet Odds: