Betfred Super League
Wakefield (16) 22
Tries: Vagana, Hamlin-Uele, Myers, Sinfield Goals: Sinfield 3
Leeds (6) 24
Tries: Croft, McDonnell, Smith, Hankinson Goals: Connor 4
Leeds Rhinos edged a thrilling top-of-the-table clash against Wakefield Trinity 24-22 to go four points clear in Super League.
A sell-out crowd at DIY Kitchens Stadium were royally entertained as the top two served up a match worthy of a Grand Final, but it was the Rhinos fans who were celebrating at the death.
Despite trailing for the all but three minutes of the contest, Leeds held their nerve to land a sucker punch with two moments of skill from the boot of Jake Connor to snatch a late victory.
With 77 minutes on the clock Connor’s grubber kick was pounced on by Chris Hankinson to level the scores at 22-22. Connor then held his nerve to kick the extras from five yards inside the touchline.
This was a match in which Leeds showed grit, discipline and character to hold on to Wakefield’s tail as the hosts withstood early pressure before stretching out into a 16-0 lead with three tries all converted by Jack Sinfield.
They came from Isaiah Vagana after a clever kick from Sinfield, a bullocking run from Caius Faatili, who broke two tackles and offloaded to Caleb Hamlin-Uele, and Jayden Myers going over in the corner as Wakefield delivered a commanding and surprising advantage.
But Leeds have shown they rarely lie down so far this season and after Brodie Croft’s 25th Super League try of the campaign gave them hope, a stunning second-half comeback, in which Cam Smith was irresistible off the bench, helped them grab the win late on.
The second half began with Wakefield extending their advantage through Sinfield, who wrestled the ball over the line and then added the extras in an impressive overall display.
But in keeping with plenty of his team-mates, they faded as Leeds surged and after Cam Scott and Hamlin-Uele had rescued Wakefield with brilliant last-ditch tackles to deny two tries, the dam burst.
James McDonnell bullied his way through the home defence to make it 22-10 with Connor’s boot adding another two to put them within 10 points of Wakefield.
The excellent Smith, again aided by Connor, powered through three minutes later as Leeds closed the gap to four points at 22-18.
With the comeback definitely on Wakefield were creaking under huge pressure, but to their credit they held on to their advantage until three minutes from time.
Connor’s kick to set up Hankinson out wide pulled the scores level, but last year’s Man of Steel is looking as shiny as ever and he produced a nerveless kick from the left flank to seal a remarkable turnaround.
Victory delivered a major step towards a top-two finish for Leeds with five games remaining in the regular season, and with a points difference of over 200 points on Wakefield and Wigan Warriors in second and third their lead at the top is effectively five points.
A home semi-final looks assured from this point and if they can repeat this sort of form in the post season a genuine Grand Final appearance could well follow.
Wakefield: Rourke; Myers, Scott, Hall, Johnstone; Trueman, Sinfield; Lolesio, Smoothy, Rodwell, McMeeken, Vagana, Tevaga
Interchanges: Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Smith.
Leeds: Miller; Edgell, Handley, Bird, Newman; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Hankinson, McDonnell, Watkins.
Interchanges: Smith, Lloyd, Cassell, Holroyd.
Referee: Liam Moore.