Leeds Rhinos 16 Wakefield Trinity 20: Rhinos continue downward spiral after late Wildcats try

Zak Hardaker's run is stopped close to the line by Tom Johnstone. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Incredibly, with a quarter of the season completed, Wakefield are two points ahead of their West Yorkshire rivals and the teams seem to be heading in opposite directions.

Wakefield inflicted more misery on Leeds with a dramatic, but fully deserved, 20-16 victory at Headingley. It was Leeds’ sixth loss in eight league games this term.

Chris Chester, axed by Hull KR earlier in the campaign – ironically after they had lost at home to Wakefield – was appointed two weeks ago, but officially took charge ahead of the Good Friday win over Huddersfield.

Craig Hall runs down the wing to score Trinity Wildcats match winning try.
Picture: Bruce Rollinson — Craig Hall runs down the wing to score Trinity Wildcats match winning try. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

He has already got last year’s whipping boys playing with confidence and enthusiasm. They could have settled for a draw or spirited defeat yesterday, but refused to throw in the towel and stole maximum points in an incredible finish.

Leeds led for only four minutes, after Mitch Achurch’s try made it 16-14 12 minutes from time.

A Liam Finn penalty goal then levelled the scores, but Liam Sutcliffe was off target with a similar effort which would have nosed the hosts back in front on 76.

The champions then seemed to be setting up for a drop goal, but Beau Falloon went down the blindside, Ash Handley could not take his pass and Craig Hall picked up to race the length of the field for the decisive touchdown.

Mitch Achurch scores the Rhinos' third try - but it wasn't enough as Wakefield hit back to win at Headingley. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

It was no more than Wakefield, who had been reduced to 12 men with Scott Moore in the sin-bin in the final quarter, deserved.

“We toughed it out, certainly in the second half,” a delighted Chester said afterwards.

“I thought we were worthy winners. It was a fantastic win. I think it’s the first time this club has got two wins over Easter.

“I am really proud of everybody from one to 17.”

Chester denied being worried when Achurch’s try edged Leeds ahead and felt Wildcats were unlucky not to be more than 8-6 up at half-time.

“We showed a lot of character and a lot of resilience in the second half,” he added. “We found a way to win the game and it was a special play by Craig Hall to go the full length of the pitch.”

Wakefield led three times, going ahead as early as the 16th minute when Matty Ashurst, who had a fine game, crossed from Jacob Miller’s pass.

Finn converted, but Leeds equalised when Sutcliffe fell on Hardaker’s kick, which deflected off a defender and the ball came loose for Joel Moon to pick up and go over.

Finn kicked a penalty before the break and converted after Tom Johnstone dashed clear and put the supporting Miller in.

Johnstone – a product of Wakefield’s academy system – is building a name for himself this year and later made two remarkable try-saving tackles, first on Tom Briscoe and then Hardaker.

A try by Briscoe, from Kallum Watkins’s offload after the defence had allowed Hardaker’s kick to bounce, cut the gap to four points and Leeds seemed to be on course for the points when Achurch went over and Sutcliffe added the extras.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott admitted he did not feel the game was won at any time.

“There’s some obvious things that are not there for us,” said McDermott afterwards.

“We know what’s wrong, but going out there and executing that is a different matter.

“That’s what makes sport really interesting.

“It’s not sliderules and science. If we could press a few buttons and all of a sudden people start playing well and people get confidence, we’d all be coaches.”

The Bank Holiday defeat completed a miserable Easter for Rhinos, who also lost at Castleford Tigers last Thursday.

“That’s the game, isn’t it,” McDermott said.

“You’ve got to be as good at this end of the table and we’ve been at the other end.

“We’ve got some hard work to do and some things we need to fix up.

“I’m confident the group will do that.”

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Handley, Sutcliffe, Lilley, Singleton, Falloon, Cuthbertson, Keinhorst, Wwalters, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: Burrow, Mullally, Achurch, Garbutt.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: C Hall, Johnstone, Arundel, Lyne, Jones-Bishop, Finn,Miller, Scruton, Moore, Simon, Kirmond,Ashurst, Molloy. Substitutes: Sio, Arona, Yates, Walton.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).