Brilliant Bulls hit top form

It was clear the Rhinos' post-cup final complaints about the match official had struck a nerve at Bradford, a team who feel they won the cup final on merit and not because Russell Smith handed it to them.

So what better way to prove your point than inviting your arch-rivals to historic Odsal, bringing in the second-biggest crowd in Super League history and royally tanning their backsides.

Not a biased referee in the world could have saved Daryl Powell's men last night. This was the Bulls at their inspired best.

To say the 26-point gap flattered the formerly unbeaten Rhinos is an under-statement.

In every department they were out-played by a Bradford team whose brilliance was only matched by their determination.

They even managed to ignore some of the rough-house tactics employed by their visitors, keeping their cool, the ball and the vital two points that saw them leapfrog Leeds to the top of the table.

It is the first time they have occupied that spot - they were bottom after Round One - and you can't really see how they are going to lose it if they continue to play like this.

Leeds had no answer for the shock and awe tactics applied by players all across the park.

Unlike the final, the ball was being flung around with abandon and all in Odsal were treated to some classic tries, some brilliant off-loads and rugby league at its best.

Everything clicked for Bradford on the day, in every department.

Scott Naylor put in his best performance of the year, Karl Pratt was superb in reminding Leeds that they should not have axed him, Paul Anderson and Joe Vagana were unstoppable, the two wingers were devastating and Robbie Paul was magnificent.

On what was a massive day for the club, the impressive new corporate hospitality suite opened as the Bulls, off the field, took another significant step forward.

To sum up the all-conquering nature of the Bulls in every department of this sport, Brian Noble even stopped it from raining to get the crowds down.

And what a treat they were served up.

From the Volcano's first-minute off-load that sent Shontayne Hape scrambling down the line, the boisterous fans knew they were going to be in for a treat.

After only three minutes the scoring had commenced with Jimmy Lowes giving it to Vagana, to flick back before the hooker sent a cut out pass to Vaikona to stretch round in the corner.

By this stage the pattern of the game was already beginning to take shape with Bradford chucking the ball about, and Leeds attempting to chuck Bradford about.

Every Bulls pass was greeted with a big hit from a Rhino and plenty a swinging arm/elbow/knee was being applied around the play the ball.

Lowes seemed to be in for most of the treatment, but he kept his old head and didn't respond - except to play even better.

The sides exchanged penalties to make it

6-2 and then Kevin Sinfield sensibly applied the 'I'll kick this rather than running it'

tactic twice more, albeit a month too late, to even the scores up including taking advantage of Deacon putting a kick-off out on the full.

But the Bulls were threatening and it was only a matter of time before they would break through - although it was surprising who was to score.

Deacon sent through a last-tackle grubber and Mark Calderwood generously just kicked it across the in-goal area rather than making it safe.

Danny Gartner was on hand to dive on the ball for his first try of Super League VIII as Bradford took the lead they were never going to relinquish.

It was a glaring error and not the sort you can make against the Bulls at Odsal and expect to go unpunished.

Five minutes later Deacon put Anderson through, the giant prop nearly running over the referee on his way to the line - while his hand-off in the face of Gary Connolly summed up how contemptuously the Bulls were staving off Leeds' best efforts.

Then, to popular acclaim, skipper Robbie Paul rounded off a superb move which featured lively and imaginative passing all the way across the pitch, including some great work by Scott Naylor.

It was the Kiwi's 100th try in regular season Super League and there will have been few better in terms of team-work.

It was now half-time, 24-6 and game over.

But just to prove their superiority, the Bulls went on a second period rampage that became almost embarrassingly good.

On Leeds' first possession, Danny Ward coughed the ball up and minutes later the Volcano has erupted through five would-be tacklers to find the line.

Two minutes later, Sinfield was penalised and Deacon took the two once more.

From the next kick-off, Paul caught the ball, gave it to Vaikona to run 60 metres before

giving it to Pratt to finish the move.

His cheeky celebrations in front of the fans who used to adore him summed up his absolute delight at beating the club that axed him for the second time in a month.

Tries from Chev Walker and Mark Calderwood brought some respectability into the scoreline, but there was never a credible threat of a fightback.

And certainly not when, three minutes 52 seconds of deliberation, after the video referee awarded the Volcano a score after he beat Calderwood in the air to a Deacon kick.

Sinfield grabbed another consolation but the scoring was rounded off by the Bulls.

Vaikona broke 80 metres and just when he was looking to tire, he gave it to Pratt again.

Pratt waited for the flying winger to get his breath back and gave him the ball to finish in the corner.

Only good fortune and avoiding Bradford has allowed Leeds to hold their place at the top of the table, but the Bulls picked up the number one spot for the first time and you just can't see them giving it up.

It truly was a magnificent performance - and Leeds knew it.

Daryl Powell admitted afterwards his side had learnt a few lessons out there. One of them is probably don't wind up the Bulls before a big game.

Maybe they should make an official complaint to Brian Noble about his side being too good.