Bradford Bulls 4 Leeds Rhinos 17 9th February 2002

Leeds Rhinos coach Daryl Powell led his side to a 17-4 win over Bradford Bulls which has sent them into the last 16 of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup.

The Rhinos produced a spirited display to send the World Champions crashing back to earth and inflict their first defeat at Valley Parade.
New recruit Ben Walker and Ryan Sheridan scored the entire Rhinos' points as the visitors began their road to Murrayfield by avenging their final defeat there two years ago.

Daryl Powell's side dominated the early possession and were rewarded when a strong attack ended with Walker pouncing on Sheridan's kick behind the posts.

Walker then converted his own score and added a penalty 13 minutes later as Bradford struggled to find their feet.

The Rhinos ran the first quarter and also forced the Bulls to drop out from beneath the posts as their form last week's World Club Challenge win over Newcastle appeared to desert them.

Daniel Gartner brought the Bulls back into the game 12 minutes before the break when he spun out of an Adrian Vowles tackle to touch down.

Leon Pryce made an instant impact as his replacement with a powerful burst but the Rhinos edged 9-4 ahead when Sheridan slotted over a drop goal.

Bradford went close to replying but the Leeds rearguard held firm and forced Lesley Vainikolo into touch in the corner.

The game was well and truly up for the Bulls when Sheridan crashed over for his side’s second try late on.

Brandon Costin had a late try chalked off by the video referee but it would have been little more than consolation for the beaten Bulls, who lost for the first time since moving to Valley Parade the previous year.