Leeds Rhinos Reserves 16 Warrington Wolves Reserves 18

By Guy Harvey

Leeds Rhinos Reserves were back in action for the first time in over a month and for the final time at home this season with Warrington the visitors as part of the triple-header, which included the women’s side and first team facing off against the same opposition as part of a bumper family day. With two games rearranged from earlier in the season still left to play, the Rhinos were still on the hunt for a place in the Reserve Grand Final but with an element of Super League experience in both teams a tightly contested affair was expected.

Jack Sinfield began the game kicking off towards the West Stand and almost saw Warrington knock on straight away, however they held on to the ball and started the half the stronger of the two sides and it showed after only seven minutes. The home side was caught short on their right edge and after a long looping pass from Leon Hayes found Joshua Hughes-Lynch with room ahead to cross for the try in the corner. Hayes then turned from setting up the try to crossing for his own after a great solo effort saw him stepping and jinking before burrowing under the Rhinos defence from close range to score just by the posts with Riley Dean converting the score making it 12-0 to the away side.

Leeds then began to find their feet in the game, sharing sets of six with the away side and both defending well. Leeds would finally get on the score sheet midway through the half in the shape of Liam Tindall who, despite the attention of three Warrington defenders, managed to squeeze over in the corner for the try. Although Leeds had their say in the game, it would be the away side that scored next. With only minutes left in the half, Greg Minikin ran a hard line and received the short pass from Riley Dean only metres from the Leeds try line before crashing through the home side's defence for the try. The conversion from Dean made it an 18-6 lead for Warrington at the half.

The second half certainly didn’t start as the first did with both sides defending immaculately and not seeing the first points scored until the final fifteen minutes through Morgan Gannon. An error from the away side, who tried to catch the ball from a high kick on the last tackle, was knocked on to give the Rhinos possession but despite gaining a repeat set, it wouldn’t be needed as the ball was spread to the right to find Gannon who charged at the Warrington defence and was able to get the ball down for the try and get Leeds back in the game.

Leeds had their tales up and wanted the win and minutes later would score again with Ned McCormack crossing for the try after providing support for Jack Smith would race through the Warrington defence from twenty metres out evade tackles well. The successful conversionfrom Riley Lumb made the score 18-16 with minutes to go, but sadly it would be too late for Rhinos to comeback, despite producing a spirited performance.

The Reserves are next in action away to Wigan Warriors on Sunday 3rd September with an 11:30am kick off which is a rearranged game.

Leeds Rhinos Reserves

1. Alfie Edgell, 2. Derrell Olpherts, 3. Luis Roberts, 4. Ned McCormack, 5. Liam Tindall, 6. Fergus McCormack, 7. Jack Sinfield, 8. Huw Worthington, 9. Bailey Aldridge, 10. Leon Ruan, 11. Ben Hursey-Hord, 12. Harrison Gilmore, 13. Joe Gibbons

Subs: 14. Jack Smith, 15. Riley Lumb, 16. Harry Medlicott, 17. Morgan Gannon

Warrington Wolves Reserves

1. Jake Thewlis, 2. Connor Wrench, 3. Gregory Minikin, 4. Jack Darbyshire, 5. Joshua Hughes-Lynch, 6. Riley Dean, 7. Leon Hayes, 8. Joseph Bullock, 9. Aidan Doolan, 10. Luke Thomas, 11. Adam Holroyd, 12. Nolan Tupaea, 13. Thomas Whitehead

Subs: 14. Adam Whalley, 15. Noah High, 16. Bobby Shingler, 17. Jamie Reddecliff