Fresh from a big win against Hull FC the Leeds Rhinos were back at Emerald Headingley for an unusual Sunday evening kick-off against another side who are flying high, a Warrington Wolves who gave a debut George Williams following his early return from Australia.
It would be an emotional night for the home supporters as they said and fond goodbye to Kevin Sinfield after twenty-four honour filled years at the club as player, captain, and first ever Leeds Director of Rugby.
Warrington were slight favourites to take the win, but there were few pundits who would back against a Leeds win despite them getting a four-point start on the coupon after they took the points when the two sides met just four weeks ago.
The Rhinos set their stall out early and dominated the opening exchanges. On seven Harry Newman was on hand to take a Richie Myler wonder pass and run the angle to dive over in the left corner as Jake Mamo was unable to make the tackle. Rhyse Martin added the extra two points from wide for an early 6-0 lead.
On eleven Mike Cooper took a Daryl Clarke short pass to crash the line and ground from five metres out. Stefan Ratchford added the conversion to level the scores.
The Rhinos shunned a kickable penalty on fourteen and three tackles into the set Mikolaj Oledzki reversed over the line and grounded the ball over his shoulder. Martin added the conversion for 12-6, but it would be short-lived.
Warrington again struck straight back after Leeds failed to deal with the kick-off. On the first play a bounce pass from George Williams was collected by Blake Austin to go through a big gap for a four pointer and when Ratchford added the conversion the sides were all-square again.
A couple of Leeds errors gave Warrington a chance and on the last tackle it looked like Josh Charnley had scored but Richie Myler managed to get his body under the Warrington winger and prevent the try.
A miracle Luke Gale offload to Brad Dwyer edged the Rhinos back in front as the hooker went through a big hole in the Wolves defence. Martin added the conversion and the Rhinos were six ahead again.
Great defence denied Clark on thirty-three with Oledzki dislodging the ball in the tackle on the Leeds try line ended what was not the best of halves for either side, but which delivered plenty of first half entertainment for the Headingley crowd.
Ten minutes after the restart Warrington gave the ball some air and it ended in the hands of Charnley who dove for the line but appeared to ground the on the arm of Dwyer. Referee Kendal sent the decision to the video referee as a TRY, and the video referee couldn’t find enough evidence to overturn the decision. Ratchford added the touchline conversion to level the scores at 18-18.
The game developed into an end to end encounter as the two sides tired and at the hour mark it was impossible to pick a winner.
A high tackle from Matt Prior just after the hour conceded a penalty and Ratchford kicked the two points to give his side the lead for the first time.
It was the Rhinos turn to kick a penalty on sixty-six, Martin obliging from twenty metres out as Jack Hughes was sin-binned for excessive pressure. The scores were level at 20-20 with the Wolves down to twelve men for most of the rest of the game.
On sixty-eight Newman carved his way through the Wolves defence for his second try of the night from twenty metres out showing a great turn of speed. Martin added the conversion, the Rhinos back six ahead.
Five minutes from time Danny Walker made his way through a tired Leeds defence, brushing aside five tacklers to score by the right upright. Ratchford added the conversion for 26-26, the game going down to the closing minutes.
Forty seconds from time the ball was moved back into the hands of George Williams who slotted over a drop goal from thirty metres to win the game and send the band of travelling Wolves fans into raptures behind the sticks.
This was an exhilarating game played between two sides who were out on their feet after a second game in a few days but who provided a real spectacle for the crowd in Headingley and the those tuning in to watch on SKY. Warrington snatched the win in the dying seconds after riding their luck for long periods of the game, the Rhinos will feel like they had their pockets picked.
Leeds Rhinos: Myler, Briscoe T, Newman (2T), Hurrell, Handley, Gale, Sutcliffe L, Oledzki (T), Dwyer (T), Prior, Donaldson, Martin (5G), Tetevano. Subs: Holroyd, Vuniyayawa, Briscoe L, Smith.
Warrington Wolves: Ratchford (5G), Lineham, Mamo, King, Charnley (T), Austin (T), Williams (DG), Hill, Clark D, Cooper (T), Currie, Hughes, Davis. Subs: Mulhern, Akauola, Walker (T), Longstaff.
Half-Time: 18-12.
Full-Time: 26-27.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 6-4, 6-6, 10-6, 12-6 12-10, 12-12, 16-12, 18-12 : HT : 18-16, 18-18, 18-20, 20-20, 24-20, 26-20, 26-24, 26-26, 26-27 : FT.
