Wakefield Trinity 6 Leeds Rhinos 28: Talent of Watkins shines while Leeds stumble to welcome win

The standard of their attacking play in the first half at Wakefield yesterday was awful with a succession of mis-placed passes, dropped balls and poor kicks allied to too much ill-discipline meaning they never looked likely to enter their hosts’ 20-metre area let alone strike.

When prop Ben Cross wobbled up to his feet after a heavy tackle from Stuart Howarth and Julien Rinaldi – the second time the big Australian was knocked-out – one wag in the crowd suggested ‘give me a pint of what he’s had.’

Elsewhere, the usually stellar captain Kevin Sinfield knocked on, kicked out on the full and lofted forward passes to nobody, Danny Buderus was snared barely getting out of dummy half, Weller Hauraki wildly gave away possession and the troubled visitors hardly managed to complete a set.

Fortunately, their defence, so fragile previously this season, was back up to its usual high standard just in time for Friday’s looming visit of champions Wigan Warriors.

They may not have confirmed victory until the impressive Kallum Watkins – one player to avoid the shambles – completed the first hat-trick of his career on the hour mark but, in reality, the basis of this much-needed triumph was formed in a terrific rearguard action inside the opening quarter.

Leeds weathered a storm which saw them defend five consecutive sets, Wakefield having benefited from a couple of penalties and forced three back-to-back drop outs.

However, for all the endeavour and control shown during that period by John Kear’s side, they lacked any real cutting edge and, when they emerged pointless, there was a sense their experienced opponents would eventually find their senses and come back to make them pay.

Few sides can fail to make so much possession and position count against Leeds, who had Ryan Bailey back from injury for his first game of the season, and still expect to win.

Furthermore, Trinity could not make use of an extra man when Luke Burgess was sin-binned just before the half hour.

Wakefield, unchanged from the side that defeated Hull FC last week, did lead 4-0 at the break courtesy of Greg Johnson’s fine finish on 25 minutes, juggling the excellent Tommy Lee’s splendid long pass before diving over.

Captain Glenn Morrison was in his customary dominant form while Chris Dean impressed in the centre and Lee’s first-half kicking was exemplary.

However, when the ex-Hull FC scrum-half failed to find touch with a penalty in the 54th minute, his error proved costly.

Leeds had levelled with Watkins’s first, finally finding a little cohesion in time for the exciting 19-year-old to score, Rob Burrow and Sinfield shipping the ball wide where Brent Webb chimed into the line to help feed the ball to the winger.

But Josh Griffin put Trinity back in front with a penalty before Lee’s cardinal indiscretion.

From that possession, Watkins got his second off Paul McShane’s cross-field kick, leaping elegantly above Luke George to touch down and put his side in front, Sinfield improving.

Then, straight from the re-start, the gutsy Burgess – who delayed a knee operation until today to play given Ian Kirke’s late withdrawal with illness – sent Hall racing away and it needed Morrison to finally drag down Webb.

However, soon after, Sinfield fired out a huge pass for Watkins to earn his treble before the captain slotted a penalty and then delivered a delicious reverse pass for Buderus to cross as breathless Wakefield wilted under the pressure.

It was left to Watkins to finish off though with his fourth when he again effortlessly got above George to collect Webb’s kick, Sinfield doing the rest.

If Wakefield – yet to win at home this season – had such finishing prowess, it may have been a different tale, a point painfully illustrated in the dying moments when they forced an overlap only to see Griffin throw the ball into touch with George waiting.

Their commitment, in a game once more dominated by James Child’s whistle, could not be faulted though and it seemed harsh to see the scoreline run away from them late on.

The partnership of Ben Jeffries and Lee does look firm and holds plenty of promise while Rinaldi offered similar strength to their middle and ex-Hull KR youngster Frankie Mariano gave another fulsome display in the second-row.

Leeds managed to eke out the win though despite missing a raft of first-teamers, including Jamie Peacock, Danny McGuire, Brett Delaney, Ali Lauititi Ben Jones-Bishop and Lee Smith, turning on the class when it mattered most for a victory they certainly required.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Murphy; G Johnson, Dean, Griffin, George; Jeffries, Lee; Korkidas, Rinaldi, P Johnson, Morrison, Mariano, Howarth. Substitutes: Veivers, Wildie, Amor, Henderson.

Leeds Rhinos: Webb; Watkins, Ablett, Senior, Hall; Sinfield, Burrow; Leuluai, Buderus, Bailey, Clarkson, Hauraki, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: Pitts, McShane, Cross, Burgess.

Referee: J Child (Dewsbury).

Rival coaches quick to praise young star

BOTH coaches tipped Leeds Rhinos’ Kallum Watkins for international honours as the teenage winger scored four tries against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

His finishing class proved a major difference yesterday as struggling Leeds overcame a 4-0 interval deficit to run out 28-6 victors at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

The athletic Watkins showed great ability to collect a couple of high kicks and also impressive footwork to gather his quartet, securing a first-ever professional hat-trick.

“Give your best player the ball in hand as much as possible is one game plan,” said Leeds coach Brian McDermott.

“He finished off some good exchanges with the ball and looks quite a prospect.

“I know he’s in the England Knights squad and if Ben Jones-Bishop gets promoted off a few good games, one of them on TV, and if the national team is looking for some outside backs who are real big and athletic then look no further.”

Watkins, 19, switched from centre to wing yesterday and looked equally as comfortable. His involvement left Wakefield coach John Kear in awe.

“Young Kallum Watkins makes really difficult skills look very, very easy,” he said.

“The way he can climb and catch high balls under pressure is all credit to the kid. It is up to Steve McNamara who he wants to pick for England but, my word, he is a talent.”

Kear conceded Wakefield, who dominated the first half, needed to show similar prowess if they were ever going to overcome their West Yorkshire neighbours.

Leeds made the most of their limited opportunities to devastating effect and he said: “They were absolutely clinical with their finishing.

“You have got to admire their application of skills.

“The final score was a little bit harsh on them but it’s part of a learning curve we’re having to go through.”

McDermott conceded his side’s performance was patchy but, with eight of his squad missing, added: “Everyone has got to be careful not to demand too much to soon.

“We were off offensively but, in terms of how much we had to defend, based on where it’s been the last couple of weeks, we were outstanding.”