Leeds maintained their position at the top of the Super League with a 42-12 victory over Bradford at Headingley on Sunday, but the win came at a significant cost as star winger Maika Sivo suffered a suspected broken arm. The injury, confirmed by Leeds coach Brad Arthur to likely be a broken forearm, could sideline Sivo for up to six weeks after scans are completed.

Sivo, who leads the league with 29 tries this season, was forced off in the first half following a tackle on Bradford’s Luke Hooley. Despite this setback, Leeds responded strongly, with James McDonnell scoring twice and contributing decisively throughout the match. McDonnell, who is set to join NRL newcomers Perth Bears next season, notably intercepted a pass from Bradford's Chris Atkin and sprinted from halfway to score, helping to steady his team in the wake of Sivo’s injury.

Leeds’ Jake Connor played a pivotal role, not only converting all seven tries scored by his team but also delivering a critical 40-20 kick that Bradford coach Kurt Haggerty identified as a turning point. Connor’s strong kicking game disrupted Bradford’s defense and set the platform for several Leeds tries, including those by Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins, and Kallum Watkins.

Bradford opened the scoring through Guy Armitage’s try, finishing off a move set up by Atkin’s kick just before the dead-ball line, reflecting the ongoing intensity of this historic rivalry. However, Leeds steadily asserted dominance despite missing seven regular players due to injury, with coach Arthur praising his squad’s resilience and positional adaptability.

Bradford managed to cross again early in the second half when Ethan Ryan capitalized on a high ball to touch down, but were unable to significantly close the gap as Leeds pulled further away. Haggerty acknowledged his team’s difficulties in maintaining possession, citing turnovers as a key factor in the defeat. He nonetheless expressed a positive outlook, stating that facing strong opponents like Leeds offers valuable experience for his injury-hit side.

Arthur emphasized the challenges ahead without Sivo but commended his team’s grit, noting the need for more controlled play going forward as Leeds look to sustain their Super League campaign.

Leeds’ victory extends their lead in the standings, but the club now faces the task of compensating for the loss of one of their most prolific players during a crucial phase of the season.