Warrington Wolves U18s 25 Leeds Rhinos U18s 12

Leeds Rhinos Under-18s' winning streak came to an end at Victoria Park as the young Rhinos suffered a 25-12 defeat to Warrington Wolves, despite second half tries from Mason Corbett and Joe Diskin.

Despite being competitive in most of the opening half, the first half saw the young Rhinos suffer three consecutive tries as the Wolves set the foundations for an eventual win.

Both sides went straight at each other from the kick-off as they knew what was at stake. Leeds took an early blow when starting prop Lore Jones-Buchanan was ruled out for most of the game in the early exchanges, but Warrington couldn't make the visitors as Cai Taylor-Wray’s grubber kick for the in-goal area was too long.

Leeds turned the tables to have back-to-back sets on the Wolves’ line following a head-high shot near their own try line. Presley Cassell and Joe Phillips both came up short, before Smith’s last tackle kick pinned Frank Sergent in goal. Cassell also inspired a break downfield that should have seen Kai Taylor-Smith score, but the full back was caught short of the line.

Although it looked like neither side was prepared to give an inch on the scoreboard, Warrington hit the front thanks to Sergent. Off the back of a high shot from Cassell, the Wolves took their chance as a wide pass found Sergent, who walked in at the corner.

The Rhinos had a chance to react, but poor execution saw them stay pointless with ten minutes left.

Inside the closing minutes, Warrington took a firm grip on the contest with back to back tries. Taylor-Wray got his first of two tries as the full back took advantage of a break by Alfie Mather to get over the line. A break by Oliver Morgan then saw Sergent get his second as the winger forced his way over from short range. Joe Hickey converted two of the three tries to make the half time score 16-0.

Knowing they needed a big second 40 minutes, Leeds came out firing strong at the start of the second period to close the scoreboard.

Having had the best of possession following half time, Smith’s side got themselves in the contest through a great try from Mason Corbett. Forcing the Wolves to defend their line, the home side cracked as Corbett took the ball out of dummy half and charged for the line for his second try of the season.

On the hour mark, Leeds put themselves right back in the game with a second try to set up a tense final 20 minutes. Warrington struggled to take on George Brown’s bomb, and from the ensuing drop out, Joe Diskin spotted his opportunity to score out of dummy half and took it. Harley Thomas was good with both his conversion attempts to make the score 16-12.

Despite being spooked by a resurgent Rhinos, Warrington made sure they took home the win with a try, penalty goal and drop goal in the closing moments. With the game in the balance, Leeds’ ill-discipline put them on the backfoot by their try line and Taylor-Wray took full advantage to get his second.

More mistakes by the visitors saw Hickey opt for a penalty goal after a head-high tackle, and the half back made sure of the result with a drop goal in the final minute to take home a 25-12 result.

Wolves U18s

1. Cai Taylor-Wray, 2. Frank Sergent, 3. James Duffy, 4. Aaron Lindop, 5. Lachlan Webster, 6. Joe Hickey, 7. Daniel Regan, 8. Charlie McKler, 9. Oliver Morgan, 10. Isaac Reid, 11. Charlie Walker, 12. James McGuire, 13. Jake Ramsden

Subs: 14. Junior Westwood, 15. Alfie Mather, 16. Tom McKinney, 18. Kian Stanton (18^th Man – Sam Roberts)

Tries: Sergent (28, 39), Taylor-Wray (34, 67)

Goals: Hickey 4/5

Drop Goal: Hickey (79)

Rhinos U18s

1. Kai Taylor-Smith, 2. Callum Webster, 3. Marcus Qareqare, 4. Harley Thomas, 5. Harry Taylor, 6. George Brown, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Joe Phillips, 9. Mason Corbett, 10. Lore Jones-Buchanan, 11. Bobby Hartley, 12. Jacob Stead, 13. Presley Cassell

Subs: 14. Mason Corbett, 15. Declan White, 16. Jayemm Oladipupo, 17. Dylan Hutchinson (18^th Man – Oliver Smart)

Tries: Corbett (54), Diskin (59)

Goals: Thomas 2/2