Warrington Wolves Under-18s 30 Leeds Rhinos Under-18s 28

Despite a last minute try from Riley Lumb, Leeds Rhinos Under-18s were edged 30-28 by Warrington Wolves Under-18s in a tight Academy contest at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The fixture was the first meeting between the two sides since Leeds inflicted defeat on the Wolves in last year’s Academy semi-finals. Nine of the Leeds players from that game featured for Tony Smith at the Halliwell Jones this year, whilst a number of Leeds’ young players, including Kai Taylor-Smith, Declan Ementon and Jack Purtill, were recalled to the lineup.

Out of the gates, the Rhinos looked the stronger of the two sides as they energy and dominated the scoring chances. After being unable to capitalise from a Ned McCormack break, Leeds showed patience to camp on the Wolves line, before Fergus McCormack dived through a hole and offloaded for Harrison Gilmore to score the opening try after five minutes.

The Wolves responded almost instantly through Ben Hartill. Logan Raughter’s half break almost set Cai Taylor-Wray up to score, but good defence from Leeds only prevented the inevitable; Hartill diving over out of dummy half to level the score.

The game’s momentum swung between both sides all game, but straight after conceding, the Rhinos found themselves ahead again. Penalties against the Wolves pinned the home side by their own try line, and good handling from former East Leeds duo Mason Corbett and Bobby Hartley set up Freddie Brennan-Jones to crash over for a great score. Jack Sinfield added the conversion to make the score 12-6 to the visitors.

Pat Irwin kept the Wolves in the contest as the half back took an offload from Lucas Green to twist and turn his way to the try line. Dylon Braddish was also denied a try after Leeds kicked the ball out on the full, but the referee pulled the try back for a forward pass.

As the first half reached its close, Warrington forced a crucial score to lead at the break. A shift to the left found Leeds short on numbers and Jake Thewlis was there to support his centre partner Arron Lindop’s run to touch down in the corner. Noah Booth converted every try in the first half to make the score 18-12 at half time.

Within four minutes of the game restarting, the Wolves extended their lead to twelve points as Nolan Tupaea got the first of his two tries. Leeds responded positively to create chances; Neil Tchamambe taking a makeshift kick from Zach McSwiney well on the last but the winger was deemed offside. Fergus McCormack managed to get over the line though as the half back spotted a hole and managed to evade multiple Warrington defenders to keep the game to within one score.

Brennan-Jones was also denied a scoring attempt, only this time Warrington responded. Lindop was the creator again as the centre’s break put the Wolves in Rhinos territory. With Booth controlling the troops, he managed to feed Tupaea on another strong line and the back rower got the ball down.

Heading into the final ten minutes, the game remained in the balance and the Rhinos took their glimmer of a potential win with both hands. Brilliant hands from Sinfield, Declan Ementon and Ned McCormack gave Tchamambe all the space he needed to finish in the corner, plus Sinfield showed great compose to hit the conversion home.

With Warrington on the ropes, Leeds knew their opportunity was coming and Riley Lumb was the man to score the game’s most important try. With little space to work on the edge, Academy Grand Finalists Sinfield and Lumb renewed their connection as the full back pushed off two Warrington defenders and planted to ball down to make the score 30-28 with seconds remaining. Out on the right sideline, and in the swirling wind at the Halliwell Jones, Sinfield’s conversion attempt glanced across the face of the posts as time expired; the Rhinos losing their third game of the season by the barest of margins.