Rhinos rally to deny Bulls

Lee Smith marked his return to rugby league with two tries as Leeds battled back from 14 points down to rescue a 20-20 draw against Bradford.

The two west Yorkshire rivals served up a derby classic at Headingley, with Chris Nero crossing twice to help the Bulls take command.

However the Rhinos came storming back from 20-6 behind, scoring three late tries to make sure they avoided a fourth straight league defeat.

Brett Delaney and Kevin Sinfield got the hosts within touching distance before Smith capped his comeback with a match-saving try four minutes from time.

Late drama

The drama did not end there, though, as both sides pushed hard in a frantic finish. Andy Lynch was left to have a go at a one-pointer for Bradford, while Leeds twice tried and failed to convert drop goals in the dying seconds.

In the end the two heavyweights of the English game could not be separated - meaning a first ever draw between them in the Super League era.

In truth neither team deserved to be on the wrong end of the result, though Bradford will be the more disappointed at taking home just a point.

The visitors had seized control as early as the fourth minute with a try from Nero - his first of the season. A second followed soon after, Dave Halley diving over after Paul Sykes' pass caught Leeds' Ryan Hall out of position.

Orford managed to land one of his two conversion attempts before slotting over a penalty from straight in front after Brent Webb had been harshly penalised by referee Phil Bentham for an incorrect play-the-ball.

Steve Menzies deepened the gloom even further amongst the home fans when he went over on the right, the Australian accepting an early Easter gift from Hall, who had coughed up the ball when returning a kick from deep.

Smith - back 'home' with Leeds after a short stint in rugby union with London Wasps - gave Leeds a glimmer of hope with his first of the night. Sinfield - back himself after an injury lay-off - landed the conversion from tight to the line.

But any hopes of a second-half comeback seemed to disappear when centre Nero brushed off Danny McGuire to reach the line on the left flank.

Trailing by 14, the Rhinos' predicament got even worse when hooker Danny Buderus was sin-binned for not releasing after a break by Brett Kearney.

Champion spirit

Yet his team-mates showed true champion spirit, despite their recent poor run of form, even managing to get a try back when down to 12 men.

Delaney burst over following two successive penalties and although Sinfield missed the extras, he did manage a try himself to set up a grandstand finish.

The Leeds skipper converted his own effort, which saw him twist away from a defender with a 360 degree spin, to cut the deficit down to four points.

With Bradford suddenly feeling the strain, McGuire spotted space on the right and kicked in the direction of Smith, who had time to measure the bounce on the sandy surface before picking up the loose ball and scampering over.

The England international had started his second spell with the club as he had ended his first - with a brace of tries - but unlike last year's Grand Final against St Helens, this time his double was not enough to clinch victory.