They may never have seemed likely to complete the runaway win they needed to steal pole position – not that it mattered given Saints' 16-6 draw at home to Wigan – but a rough, tough test may prove just what Leeds need before they head to Knowsley Road in two weeks.

Only a couple of late tries by Ali Lauitiiti created a scoreline which flattered the defending champions, who know they will have to be far more clinical if they are to retain the title for the first time in the club's history.

Yet there was ample evidence in a characterful performance to suggest Leeds can raise their game at the most critical time of the year to succeed again at Old Trafford.

They will have to work hard between now and October 11 and they were made to toil last night by opponents who steadfastly refused to go down without a fight.

Any suspicions that Wakefield might be in the mood to merely go through the motions were dispelled from the outset when the Wildcats, with little more to play for than pride, took the game to Leeds with gusto.

The Rhinos were repeatedly thwarted by some tenacious tackling and forced into long periods of defence by their hosts, who took an early lead with a penalty from Danny Brough after he had been felled by a clattering high tackle by Brent Webb.

The Leeds full-back was placed on report for the challenge and will face an anxious wait until Monday to learn whether he is to be charged, a scenario which would threaten his involvement in the play-offs.

Leeds edged ahead midway through the half with a well-taken try by Jordan Tansey, whose intuitive support of a break by Ali Lauitiiti saw him link with Webb to go over by the posts.

Kevin Sinfield converted, but Wakefield were soon level with the first of two tries before the break by full-back Scott Grix, who spun through from close range at first receiver after Danny Sculthorpe had been held short.

Brough could not add the goal and then went tantalisingly close to a try with a cheeky chip over the top of the Leeds defence that wrong-footed Webb. As the Australian slipped Brough hacked on, but as he was about to pounce and score Scott Donald appeared from nowhere to hoof the ball to safety.

The Rhinos' relief proved short-lived, however, for within a minute Wakefield had a lead their enterprise richly deserved with Grix cutting through on a stylish run that took him past three would-be tacklers for a try in the right corner.

Brough landed his second goal, but could not find the target on the stroke of half-time with a penalty kick that would have sent Trinity into the dressing rooms with a slender lead.

Instead, the scores were locked at 12-12 with Leeds having drawn level with a splendid solo try by Donald. There seemed little danger when Donald had to turn back towards his own line to collect a stray pass by Rob Burrow, but a quick change of pace by the Australian wing caught Wakefield cold before he chipped ahead to scoot through and pounce on the loose ball.

Leeds looked to have seized the early initiative in the second half when Lee Smith intercepted and raced away on a 60-metre touchline-hugging run, but the winger was closed down by a defiant Brad Drew, who showed surprising pace to usher him into touch.

There was no let-off for Trinity in the 63rd minute when Sinfield's towering high kick bounced off the head of Grix and into the path of Lauitiiti, who kept his cool to put Sinfield over for a try.

Lauitiiti then crashed over from close range following a half-break by McGuire who also supplied the pass from which the Kiwi added his second with eight minutes remaining. Sinfield added his fourth goal – Burrow had kicked the conversion following Lauitiiti's first try – and Leeds's win was assured.


Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Grix; Blanch, Martin, Atkins, Petersen; Rooney, Brough; Watene, Drew, Bibey, MacGillivray, Golden, Demetriou. Substitutes: Sculthorpe, Wilkes, Leo-Latu, Henderson.

Leeds Rhinos: Webb; Smith, Ablett, Senior, Donald; McGuire, Burrow; Scruton, Tansey, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Ellis, Sinfield. Substitutes: Jones-Buchanan, Burgess, Bailey, Kirke.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).