FT: Catalans Dragons 22 Leeds Rhinos 38: Remarkable rally sees Rhinos win

LEEDS RHINOS went top of First Utility Super League with a remarkable 38-22 win over Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.
Brian McDermottBrian McDermott
Brian McDermott

Leeds led 10-6 at the break, went 22-10 down after 54 minutes and then staged a brilliant rally with 28 unanswered points.

In the first half Carl Ablett went over from Zak Hardaker’s pass - after Adam Cuthbertson’s offload had left the defence flat-footed - on six minutes, with Liam Sutcliffe adding the extras.

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Elliott Whitehead’s touchdown, converted by Scott Dureau, squared the scores 16 later, but Stevie Ward crossed, again off a Hardaker pass, six minutes before the interval.

Catalans ran in three tries at the start of the second period, through Whitehead, Eloi Pelissier and Damien Cardace, Dureau converting two of them.

But Leeds got level with back-to-back tries by the impressive Brad Singleton and Danny McGuire, before Sutcliffe touched down his own kick to nose them ahead.

Cuthbertson had a try controversially ruled out by the video referee and Leeds led only 26-22 with five minutes left, but Kallum Watkins’ try - created by Rob Burrow - sealed it and Hardaker capped a fine display by crossing on the final play.

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Sutcliffe kicked five goals as Leeds went above St Helens on points difference.

Rhinos under-19s beat Catalans 35-28 in a curtain-raiser. Jordan Lilley scored two tries, five goals and a drop goal and Billy McDermott, Ryan Jones, George Milton and Ashton Golding also crossed.