LEEDS RHINOS 18 WAKEFIELD TRINITY 10
PHIL CAPLAN, AMT Headingley, Boxing Day

LEEDS RHINOS held on to retain the Wetherby Whaler trophy, playing impressively in the first half but kept scoreless in the second, as both sides showed impressive defensive resolve, which coaches are looking for at this time in pre-season.

The fixture is primarily about hope and expectation, including seeing how young talent is developing, and on that score Leeds halfback George Brown impressed the most.

Naturally the eyes of both sets of fans in a healthy crowd were on Jack Sinfield, who started for Trinity after moving from Leeds in the off-season, with Brown having gone up in the home pecking order as a result.

The opening physicality displayed was impressive, with several tackles driving back assailants and Ethan O’Neill and Harvey Smith prominent for the Rhinos and Trinity respectively.

Cooper Jenkins was denied by Smith as he looked to power over from a Jarrod O’Connor short pass, and Wakefield couldn’t take advantage of Cameron Scott charging down Chris Hankinson’s clearing kick.

Fifteen minutes in, Hankinson’s high kick on the last tackle was spilled by Jayden Myers, allowing Alfie Edgell to reel the ball in for the opening try.

Tray Lolesio lost the ball playing it on his own 40 soon after his introduction and Brown exacted full retribution with a strong scoring run from close in, shedding three defenders for a fine solo try.

Trinity then wasted two opportunities as they intercepted a loose Leeds offload on their own 20 and then failed to find touch from a penalty, before Jeremaiah Mata’utia and O’Connor were both held up for Leeds with the Rhinos’ attack stuttering.

Wakefield made the most of a penalty and two set restarts and fine pass from lively hooker Smith to Sinfield saw Isaiah Vagana plunge over between the posts for their opening score.

Brown again made a fine midfield break for Leeds, this time linking with Ben Littlewood. On the last tackle, which followed the sixth set restart of the half – shared between the sides – Hankinson’s grubber to the in-goal saw Riley Lumb dot down.

Hankinson goaled from the touchline to make it 18-6 at the break, reflecting the hosts’ dominance.

Leeds started the second half strongly. Jack Sinfield had to defuse a kick before the Rhinos forced a goal-line drop-out with a gang tackle, but Trinty held out.

Caius Faatili elicited a set restart on the last in Leeds territory and Trinty moved the ball to the left, but Will Tate was snuffed out.

New signing Danny Levi looked lively off the bench for Leeds and was held up on their next concerted attack, as was Jenkins, who was impressive in his stints.

Neither side could make the most of some good lead-up play in midfield until, on a last play, Myers was sent in by a fine cutout pass from Sinfield, who was unable to add the conversion.

Wakefield were awarded two penalties on the restart set but their potential was stopped when Rowan Stephenson’s pass was deemed forward.

Substitute Oscar Brown retrieved a loose ball, leading to Mata’utia and Jacob Tooala going close, while Levi claimed a set restart but his wayward pass allowed Myles Lawford to break clear.

The Rhinos were penalised on the back of it and a desperate tackle thwarted Lolesio as he looked to sneak over, ensuring Leeds took the spoils their performance deserved.

GAMESTAR: It was an impressive 80 minutes by young Rhinos halfback George Brown. Last year his late try won this game, and he looks a genuine prospect.

GAMEBREAKER: The game was in the balance until late on and Leeds’ rearguard denying Tray Lolesio as he looked to power over secured the win.

MATCHFACTS

RHINOS
21 Alfie Edgell
3 Harley Thomas
18 Max Simpson
24 Ned McCormack
22 Riley Lumb
14 Chris Hankinson
7 George Brown
10 Tom Holroyd
9 Jarrod O’Connor
15 Cooper Jenkins
25 Ben Littlewood
16 Ethan O’Neill
13 Keenan Palasia
Subs (all used)
19 Jeremiah Mata’utia
23 Danny Levi
26 Tom Nicholson-Watton
4 Marcus Qareqare
2 Oscar Brown
5 Jacob Hardy
20 Jacob Tooala
6 Harry Smith
12 Jacob Stead
17 Zak Lloyd
11 Olly Smart
1 Joe Diskin
8 Joe Butterfield

Tries: Edgell (15), G Brown (21), Lumb (38)
Goals: Hankinson 3/3

TRINITY
1 Robbie Brook
21 Jayden Myers
2 Oliver Pratt
4 Corey Hall
32 Will Tate
27 Myles Lawford
20 Jack Sinfield
10 Ky Rodwell
17 Harvey Smith
16 Caius Faatili
3 Cameron Scott
18 Isaiah Vagana
13 Charlie Abraham
Subs
24 Tray Lolesio
31 Kian McGann
28 Ewan Molyneux
22 Harry Ratcliffe
19 Rowan Stephenson
14 Cass Walker-Smith
25 Jordan Williams (not used)
19 Alfie Briggs
23 Dom Sinfield

Tries: Vagana (33), Myers (64)
Goals: J Sinfield 1/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 18-6; 18-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Rhinos: George Brown; Trinity: Harvey Smith

Penalty count: 4-9
Half-time: 18-6
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Attendance: 11,266