Leeds Rhinos rallied from 18-8 down to claim a dramatic last minute victory over the Warrington Wolves and stave off the challenge of the Huddersfield Giants for second spot in Super League.
Warrington will be ruing a first half clash that left Brian Carney nursing a suspected broken arm, which likely will rule him out for the remainder of the season.
Kevin Sinfield’s last gasp conversion, onlly his second from five attempts, was enough to steal the game from the Wolves who must have thought they had done enough to have won the game when Mike Cooper barged through right centre to score. It was his first try of the season and broke a tense tie, with the weary Wolves clinging on after leading 18-8.
However, Chris Bridge’s first conversion miss of the night left the door open and the Warrington defence was unable to hold the Rhinos at bay. Although Jon Clarke looked to have pulled off a try saving tackle on Rob Burrow with time running out the Rhinos were sharp enough to work the ball wide right where Scott Donald raced in for his second score of the night. It set the scene for skipper, Sinfield, who kept his nerve despite his off-night with the boot.
The Wolves had taken advantage of some slack Rhinos defence to take a 12-8 half time lead courtesy of Bridge’s deadly accurate goal kicking and tries from Richie Mathers and Vinnie Anderson. Although Ryan Hall and Donald touched down for the home side; Sinfield missing both attempts.
The half started with Mathers proving he is the new Francis Meli. The former Leeds fullback went from hero to zero inside the opening ten minutes of play.
First he raced-up in support of Ben Westwood’s midfield break to put the Wolves ahead, Bridge converting. Then he muffed a simple grubber in-goal – a’la Meli’s muff last night for Saints against Wigan – to allow Hall to touchdown and make it 4-6.
But the Wolves were soon back on the attack and with Michael Monaghan mesmerising the Rhino defensive line Vinnie Anderson was left to canter through a gap at left centre for the try, which Bridge again converted.
Donald edged the Rhinos closer on 21 minutes though pouncing on Danny McGuire’s chip to the corner to make it 8-12.
The Wolves increased their lead to 18-8 after the break as the Rhinos’ slumber-fest continued. Louis Anderson forcing his way over at left centre and Bridge adding his third goal.
But that score finally stung the home side into action. And as the Wolves wilted, Leeds hit back through tries by McGuire and rugby union bound Lee Smith who bounced out of Paul Johnson’s tired looking tackle to level the scores and set up the big finish.
MATCH FACTS
5 Richie Mathers try, Chris Bridge goal 1/1 0-6
9 Ryan Hall try, Kevin Sinfield miss 0/1 4-6
16 V Anderson try, Chris Bridge goal 2/2 4-12
22 Scott Donald try, Kevin Sinfield miss 8-12
HALF TIME
50 Louis Anderson try, Chris Bridge goal 3/3 8-18
57 Danny McGuire try, Kevin Sinfield goal 1/3 14-18
63 Lee Smith try, Kevin Sinfield miss 1/4 18-18
76 Mike Cooper try, Chris Bridge miss 3/4 18-22
79 Scott Donald try, Kevin Sinfield goal 2/5 24-22
FULL TIME
Ian Bridge
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