WAKEFIELD TRINITY 22 LEEDS RHINOS 24
STEPHEN IBBETSON, DIY Kitchens Stadium, Friday

JAKE CONNOR’S ice-cool conversion completed a superb second-half turnaround to keep Leeds on course for the League Leaders’ Shield despite an almighty challenge from Wakefield.

Trinity looked set to go level at the top of the table when Jack Sinfield’s try just after half-time stretched the home lead out to 22-6, after an excellent bench-inspired first period.

But in what felt very much like a play-off semi-final, Leeds showed exactly the sort of courage that could take them to a first Grand Final in nine years.

James McDonnell and the excellent Cameron Smith scored tries in quick succession, then with three minutes remaining Chris Hankinson touched down a grubber by Connor, who also applied the all-important kick to clinch victory.

With this result, Leeds have guaranteed their top-six place – but their sights will rightly be set much higher now.

Leeds were the better side in the opening quarter and had a strong period of attack after a Connor 40/20, but despite forcing several repeat sets they found no way through or around the home defence.

As has so often been the case, Trinity’s bench swung things decisively in their favour. Caleb Hamlin-Uele then Caius Faatili came on in quick succession, and then came three tries in eight thrilling minutes.

First the props earned the field position for Sinfield to place a kick, with the bounce deceiving winger Jayden Myers and Alfie Edgell plus most crucially Lachlan Miller, popping up for Isaiah Vagana to touch down unchallenged.

Then came the ultimate show of strength from Wakefield’s super subs as Faatili brushed aside Mikolaj Oledzki then fullback Miller, and offloaded for partner-in-crime Hamlin-Uele to finish.

Finally Sinfield delivered a great offload for a Myers score in the corner, and while the former couldn’t add the conversion to his kicks after the first two tries, Trinity were ecstatic at 16-0 up.

They couldn’t quite keep the momentum going all the way to half-time, however, and Brodie Croft sliced between Vagana and Sinfield for his 25th league try of the campaign, converted by Connor, to narrow the gap to ten points at the break.

Wakefield got straight back to business in the second half, led again by Faatili who linked up with Sinfield. The halfback shot direct for the line, getting over the top of Miller for a significant converted try.

But back came Leeds with a vengeance, first frustrated – Edgell had a try overturned for a foot in touch thanks to Cameron Scott’s desperate defensive effort – but soon truly resurgent.

James McDonnell burst through off a pass by Croft, then Smith exposed another gap in the tryline defence with a change of direction and a dummy to fool his future team-mates.

Connor converted both to narrow the gap to four points, then Smith came up with just as important a contribution at the other end to put Scott into touch after a Trinity breakaway threatened to turn the game on its head again.

It did neutralise all the Rhinos’ momentum, and they didn’t trouble the tryline again until six minutes from time, when Tom Holroyd touched down off a clear knock forward in the air from Ash Handley.

But there was no denying Hankinson three minutes after that, touching down a low Connor kick – and the reigning Man of Steel nailed the goal from wide too.

GAMESTAR: Cameron Smith gave Leeds the forward momentum they were lacking after Wakefield’s own subs initially put the Rhinos up against it.

GAMEBREAKER: Two great kicks by Jake Connor, for Chris Hankinson’s try and then the winning conversion.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Caleb Hamlin-Uele’s try off Caius Faatili’s break was as thrilling a pack-created try as you’ll get.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Cameron Smith (Leeds)
2 pts Caius Faatili (Wakefield)
1 pt Jake Connor (Leeds)

MATCHFACTS

TRINITY
23 Josh Rourke
21 Jayden Myers
3 Cameron Scott
4 Corey Hall
5 Tom Johnstone
6 Jake Trueman
20 Jack Sinfield
24 Tray Lolesio
9 Tyson Smoothy
10 Ky Rodwell
8 Mike McMeeken
18 Isaiah Vagana
13 Jazz Tevaga
Subs (all used)
14 Jay Pitts
15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele
16 Caius Faatili
17 Harvey Smith
18th man (not used)
12 Matty Storton
Also in 21-man-squad
1 Max Jowitt
19 Lachlan Walmsley
32 Will Tate

Tries: Vagana (21), Hamlin-Uele (24), Myers (29), Sinfield (43)
Goals: Sinfield 3/4

RHINOS
1 Lachlan Miller
21 Alfie Edgell
4 Ash Handley
33 Jack Bird
3 Harry Newman
6 Brodie Croft
7 Jake Connor
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
9 Jarrod O’Connor
15 Cooper Jenkins
14 Chris Hankinson
12 James McDonnell
11 Kallum Watkins
Subs
10 Tom Holroyd
17 Cameron Smith
20 Presley Cassell
30 Zak Lloyd (not used)
18th man (not used)
28 Fergus McCormack
Also in 21-man squad
5 Ryan Hall
22 Riley Lumb
26 Tom Nicholson-Watton

Tries: Croft (37), McDonnell (51), Smith (55), Hankinson (77)
Goals: Connor 4/4

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 16-0, 16-6; 22-6, 22-12, 22-18, 22-24

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Trinity: Caius Faatili; Rhinos: Cameron Smith

Penalty count: 6-6
Half-time: 16-6
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 9,258