Jonathan Davies: Two decisions and suddenly a thriller belongs to Bradford

There were enough controversial moments in this tremendous final to keep arguments going for weeks, but in the end it came down to two decisions – one by the referee and the other by Leeds' young captain, Kevin Sinfield.

The Leeds winger Mark Calderwood was toppled over by Lesley Vainikolo when he was chasing the ball close to the line, and referee Russell Smith could have awarded a penalty try or just a penalty. He chose to do neither, and it was a lucky escape for Bradford.

With five minutes of pulsating action left, Leeds were given a penalty, and Sinfield decided against kicking for the goal that would have brought the teams level at 22-22. He opted to take a tap and go for a try, and Bradford's desperate defence kept Leeds out.

It is hard to criticise the young man, because he played so well and is obviously going to be a great player, but I'm afraid his inexperience was exposed in that moment of decision.

You must always go for the points in such a situation. Once you are level, a drop goal can clinch victory and, in any case, a replay would have been a much better outcome than a defeat.

Surely there was no doubt in his mind that he could kick it. Neither he nor his opposite number, Paul Deacon, had a missed a kick at goal yesterday, and didn't look like missing.

If you are trailing by a margin as narrow as that, you have to take what's on offer. Backing yourselves to score a try may seem the bravest thing to do, but it is not the smartest. But such was the equality of these two sides, it was always going to take a mistake or a dodgy decision to decide it. Before the game, it was hard to find any neutral brave enough to forecast the result. It really was too close to call.

And if it had gone to a replay I'm sure it would have gone to the wire again. But no one would have complained at another ration of that sort of performance from two teams packed with skill, courage and commitment. It was hard on the nerves but big on drama and excitement. If it had gone to a replay, there wouldn't have been many volunteers to be the video ref. What a job that was yesterday. You needed a camera with a microscope on the end.

If there was a difference between the sides it was that Bradford played the more secure rugby. They didn't try to force the ball in dangerous situations. They were slightly smarter.

I've no argument with the choice of Gary Connolly for the Lance Todd Trophy, but Bradford's Jamie Peacock ran him very close. I also thought that Deacon had an outstanding game, as did Robbie Paul. But Paul was absent from his full-back post when Sinfield showed wonderful opportunism in smashing a long kick deep into Bradford territory. Calderwood looked to be winning the race to touch the ball down when Vainikolo sent him tumbling.

Perhaps a penalty try wasn't on, because Peacock was on an interception run, but it was a penalty at the very least.

Leeds had reason to feel that a few decisions went against them in the second half, but when they recover from their disappointment I hope they can look back with pride on what was a magnificent occasion and another triumph for the Millennium Stadium.

Although it is no consolation, their coach, Daryl Powell, is well on the way to creating a very good side. What with their semi-final victory over St Helens and their brave fight yesterday, they have made a massive contribution to this year's Challenge Cup.