The Bulls were briefly back in the contest within five minutes of the restart when Ethan Ryan caught Riley Dean’s up-and-under, found Atkin and then received the return pass to dive over for a superb score on his 200th career appearance.
That proved to be only short respite for the Bulls as moments later Tom Holroyd took advantage of Connor’s superb 40-20 kick to barge over from close range to help re-establish Leeds’ 12-point advantage.
The Bulls were caught out in the back field when Connor’s high kick was not collected by Connor Wynne and Croft pounced to dive over for Leeds’ fifth try of the match.
Leeds scored once more on the hour mark when Cooper Jenkins broke through Eliot Peposhi’s attempted tackle to dive over on the attacking right edge.
Bradford’s day was summed up when Armitage intercepted a pass from Lachie Miller but Ryan knocked on at the vital moment when he threatened to race to the Leeds line.
More magic from Connor then saw Watkins stroll in for another try and Connor slotted the extras to make it seven from seven with the boot.
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds after full-time:
“I was really happy with how courageous we were. I thought we were pretty resilient.
“We could probably play with a little bit more control at times. I felt like we left a few points out there but at least we were able to defend this week.”
Bradford Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I feel like we gifted Leeds a lot of what they got in the game. Ultimately, if you keep turning the ball over you’re going to get hurt at this level, especially against a very good team.
“I think it was individual errors. It’s just those little moments of concentration that get us at the moment.
“I have to look at it and think ‘what do we need?’ Can we stay away from going into the loan market, which I’m really proud that we have done so far as a club.”
Leeds: Miller; Edgell, Newman, Bird, Sivo; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Littlewood, McDonnell, Watkins.
Interchanges: C. Smith, Nicholson-Watton, Cassell, Holroyd.
Bradford: Aekins; Wynne, Armitage, Hooley, Ryan; Nikorima, Atkin; Sutton, Ackers, Ormondroyd, Steinwede, Fulton, Mellor.
Interchanges: Dean, Gardiner, Scurr, Peposhi.
Referee: Aaron Moore.
