Bradford Bulls 44, Leeds Rhinos 22 - Which is the biggest derby in Super League?

Those on the 'wrong side' of the Pennines would undoubtedly say Wigan v St Helens, and they have rarely disappointed in their Bank Holiday clashes in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

But Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos have also served up some delights - and this satellite special only added weight to West Yorkshire's argument as to which is the best.

Bulls stand-off Henry Paul, whose long-running 'will he, won't he leave' saga ended on Friday when it was announced that he would play rugby union for Gloucester next season, received what was largely a very positive response when his name was called out over the tannoy.

Referee Stuart Cummings got a much more hostile reception, though some of that was surely tongue in cheek.

But it was Henry's heir apparent Leon Pryce, playing full back in place of the injured Michael Withers, who really took the eye, setting up the victory which puts the Bulls two points clear at the top of Super League.

'Bulls to win by 16 points' was the spread bet before the kick-off, and little which happened in the first half made any pro-Bulls punter worried about where their money would go.

The only surprise after the first 40 minutes was that Rhinos were only 18-4 behind, having spent much of the period on defensive chores.

A contest that was switched from Friday night didn't take long to ignite, a shoulder charge on hooker Jimmy Lowes by prop Jamie Mathiou in the first minute leading to both being sin-binned, Lowes for the retaliation.

And the Rhinos fans, concentrated in the Symphony Stand, were still in good voice, shouting 'Henry for Gloucester' in the opening minutes after the man in question had put the Bulls ahead with a penalty.

Iestyn Harris, also set for rugby union, soon equalised matters, however, not being put off by staring at his own face on the giant screen, which was directly between the sticks as he looked at them.

Pryce got the first try, forcing his way over from dummy half after second row Jamie Peacock, who plays well above his weight, and Tevita Vaikona had gone close.

Henry's conversion made it 8-2, and 'The Chief' Vaikona almost went in again after a crossfield bomb from Paul Deacon, pictured celebrating after the final whistle, caused problems. A second melee in the 23rd minute gave Henry the chance to make it 10-2 after second row Andy Hay had tackled too high for Mr Cummings' liking.

Henry Paul and Harris then landed a penalty each before Pryce made another telling contribution, dashing 60 metres to set up position for Leeds born and bred Peacock to score, Henry Paul again improving matters.

Little had been seen of the Rhinos as an attacking force up to this point, but on an afternoon when the biggest surprises were how easily the Bulls conceded tries, combative open-side prop Barrie McDermott brushed Mike Forshaw away to open up an inviting gap and score on his 29th birthday.

Harris's conversion added to the belief that Leeds were back in it, but they ended up desperately defending their 18-10 position, a strong Vaikona run almost bringing Peacock a try.

Normal service seemed to have been resumed when a second Deacon bomb was plucked by Vaikona just after half-time, the Tongan spinning round to score a try after Rhinos winger Mark Calderwood fatally hesitated.

But in a stunning two-try burst the Rhinos were level at 22-22, hooker Robbie Mears dummying his way over past a distracted Henry Paul, and lively centre Keith Senior crossing after a Harris bomb had almost exposed Vaikona. Harris improved both, but it was only then that the Bulls clinically pulled away with tries by winger Nathan McAvoy, Pryce, Vaikona and Daniel Gartner. It was little wonder the Bulls players were wreathed in smiles at the end.