Leeds Rhinos secure late comeback win against Wakefield Trinity
Rhinos secure top spot with dramatic comeback
Leeds Rhinos clinched a dramatic 24-22 victory over Wakefield Trinity in a top-of-the-table Super League clash at DIY Kitchens Stadium. The win puts the Rhinos four points clear at the top of the league with five games remaining in the regular season, solidifying their position as the first team to secure a play-off spot. The match, played in front of a sell-out crowd, saw Leeds overcome a significant deficit in a game described as worthy of a Grand Final.
Despite trailing for the majority of the contest, Leeds demonstrated resilience, with two key plays from Jake Connor in the final minutes sealing the victory. With approximately three minutes left on the clock, Connor’s grubber-kick led to Chris Hankinson scoring a try, leveling the scores at 22-22. Connor then successfully converted the try from near the touchline, securing the win for Leeds.
Wakefield’s early dominance and Leeds’ fightback
Wakefield Trinity started the match strongly, with early pressure from Leeds being absorbed by the home side. Trinity established a commanding 16-0 lead in the first half, with tries from Isaiah Vagana, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, and Jayden Myers, all converted by Jack Sinfield. Vagana’s try came after a clever kick from Sinfield, while Hamlin-Uele scored following a powerful run and offload from Caius Faatili. Myers crossed in the corner to extend Wakefield’s early advantage.
Leeds, however, began their comeback before half-time when Brodie Croft scored his 25th Super League try of the campaign, narrowing the gap. The second half saw Wakefield further extend their lead when Sinfield wrestled the ball over the line and added the conversion, making the score 22-6. However, as the game progressed, Wakefield’s performance reportedly faded, allowing Leeds to gain momentum.
James McDonnell broke through the home defence to score, bringing the score to 22-10 after Connor’s conversion. Shortly after, Cam Smith, who will join Wakefield next season, powered through to score, reducing the deficit to four points. Smith’s effort was aided by Connor, highlighting the impact of the Rhinos’ interchange players.
Key moments and post-match reactions
The final quarter of the match saw Leeds intensify their attack. Despite strong defensive efforts from Wakefield’s Cam Scott and Hamlin-Uele, who prevented two potential tries, the pressure eventually told. Hankinson’s late try, set up by Connor’s grubber, and the subsequent conversion, marked the first time Leeds had led in the game, securing a memorable turnaround.
Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell expressed disappointment, noting that his team made too many errors in the second half, particularly after scoring their second-half try. He acknowledged that while Leeds did not necessarily deserve the win based on the full game, they ultimately secured it. Powell also highlighted the need for his team to improve their clarity of thought under pressure in big games.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur praised his team’s grit, discipline, and character, especially in the second half. He described the match as the kind of challenging 80-minute game his team needed, stating that it was the first time in a while they had been properly tested. Arthur noted that his team had to fight back and regain composure after being put under significant pressure, demonstrating their toughness.
The victory is a significant step for Leeds towards a top-two finish in the Super League, as they now hold a considerable points difference over both Wakefield and Wigan Warriors, who are currently in second and third place respectively. The match was part of Round 22 of the Betfred Super League, which also featured other fixtures including St Helens versus Hull FC, Castleford Tigers against Hull KR, and Leigh Leopards playing York Knights.
In other Super League action, Hull KR secured a 44-0 victory over Castleford Tigers, with Tom Davies and Tyrone May each scoring two tries. Leigh Leopards also boosted their play-off hopes with a 22-14 win against York Knights, with tries from Josh Charnley, Joe Ofahengaue, Andy Badrock, and David Armstrong. The Rhinos’ next fixture is not specified in the provided sources.
Source: bbc.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
