MAKE that a trilogy of play-off classics between Leeds and Warrington. 

Twenty years ago, they were separated by a Lee Briers drop-goal at Headingley, five years later a Kevin Sinfield penalty saw Leeds through to Old Trafford at the Halliwell Jones, and now this always gripping semi-final rested on the final kick of an epic contest.

That it was from around 62 metres out by Jake Connor and, if successful, would have taken the game to the first needing golden point to settle it this season, only added to the drama. But his attempt fell short, gleefully caught by George Williams who was at the centre of the game’s most talked about moment.

For the second season running, the Rhinos exited in crest falling fashion at home, ironically, in 2025 the victims of a last play penalty where St Helens ran the ball and Harry Robertson set up the ‘left to Wright’ try that left the Rhinos fans with dropped jaws.

Would Brad Arthur’s men have been better employing that than optimistically going for goal? In a game of few clear-cut chances, it was a moot point.

All of that should not detract from the Wolves’ exceptional, late game management which took them to within 80 minutes of potential glory.

For the closing fifteen minutes, after they had taken a narrow lead with the only points of the second half, they played the game almost predominantly in the Leeds quarter, prompted to the corners by their halves, happy to be tackled in possession and backing their unyielding defence, Ben Currie leading the way with 51 tackles.

It had the hallmark of a Steve McNamara coached side, who twice used similar, ultra-testing tactics to take Catalans Dragons to Manchester in early October.

The contest also turned on a tale of two captain’s challenges, Wolves coming out on top in both, to underline their victory.

The first, in the 65th minute, by Leeds attempted to overturn the decision that James McDonnell had baulked Williams when chasing a kick to the Rhinos’ line.

A penalty on their field was backed up by the video-referee. It enabled Ewan Irwin to slot over what were ultimately the winning points, firing the ball into the western terrace and the joyous limbs of around 3,000 Warrington fans, but the “soft” nature of the award dominated the headlines and talking heads afterwards.

The other challenge was equally important. With two minutes to go, Keenan Palasia, a huge presence in his stints along with Matt Lodge, rolled the ball away from a tackle in his own quarter, Connor latching onto it and launching a sensational 40/20.

Williams, urged by Toby King, contended that Palasia’s ball carrying arm had hit the ground first and so it proved and a last chance for the hosts was denied.

While the focus was on the Williams penalty, Leeds will look back on three occasions when they had matters in their own hands but couldn’t make them tell.

Exerting pressure at the start of the second half, they ran a kickable penalty, only for a pass to be behind Cameron Smith in his last appearance in the colours and he couldn’t reel it in, while twice late on both of the Rhinos wingers were fingernails away from interceptions.

On such fine margins the game was settled.

Much was made beforehand of the backs missing from the home line-up, Chris Hankinson going down in the warm-up to make it five ruled out after a season of few absences. Whilst it may have meant they lacked a cutting edge, the youngsters brought in, especially Riley Lumb and Ned McCormack, were among their best players.

But, in the end, the story was of Warrington maintaining their calm, discipline and method, which ultimately prevailed, and now gives them a fifth opportunity in the modern era to rid themselves of their own millstone.