Leeds Rhinos built up an early 18-point lead over Huddersfield Giants at Headingley tonight, but then they had to come back from a 22-24 deficit late in the game to snatch a late 28-24 victory.
The result means that the Rhinos maintain their 100 per cent record in 2015, while the Giants registered their third successive defeat.
Carl Ablett, Adam Cuthertson and Ryan Hall all scored tries converted by captain Kevin Sinfield to give the Rhinos an 18-point lead after 27 minutes, and a heavy defeat looked on the cards for the Giants.
But they fought back with a try by Jamie Ellis, and when the video referee confirmed a try to Joe Wardle shortly before half-time, with both tries converted by Danny Brough, the Giants were back in the game.
The Rhinos stretched their lead early in the second half with an unconverted try by Tom Briscoe, but the Giants came back strongly, and halfback Kyle Wood went over, with Brough’s conversion reducing the deficit to four points.
And they took the lead for the first time with ten minutes remaining, when Brett Ferres went over and Brough converted.
But soon after the Rhinos had earned a scrum ten metres from the Giants’ line Rhinos hooker Paul Aiton spotted a gap at the play-the-ball and got over the line, and Sinfield’s goal restored a four-point advantage to the Rhinos, and they were able to hold on to grab the victory in front of 12,828 spectators.
A full report and photographs from this match will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
