23 Aug 2024

Leeds Rhinos Reserves 33 Wakefield Reserves 22

Bu Guy Harvey

Tony Smith named a strong side with close neighbours Wakefield Trinity the visitors for the reserves’ final game of the season at AMT Headingley with Mickael Goudemand a noticeable inclusion in the team however, Wakefield having won their previous five games were not going to make it a comfortable evening for the Rhinos.

Leeds was straight out of the blocks scoring after only six minutes when experienced hooker Corey Johnson made a half break going himself from dummy half before offloading just metres from the try line and second row forward Harrison Gilmore was quickest to react to collect the ball and score in the corner before Jack Sinfield converted from the touchline.

Both sides struggled to find rhythm and set the pace in the game, but Wakefield responded with sixteen minutes on the clock when winger Thomas Delaney raced through a gap in the Rhinos defence twenty metres out from the Leeds try line and scored just by the posts allowing Will Brough an easy conversion to square the game up six all.

The visitors were looking dangerously close at taking the lead minutes later, but after Jack Sinfield intercepted a pass just inside his own half, he raced away down the left flank untouched to score in the corner although he could not add the extra’s giving Leeds a 10 - 6 lead.

Leeds extended their lead shortly after when prop Ben Littlewood who had been dominant in the middle of the park from the start, crashed over charging from close range and with a turn in the tackle it allowed him to get the ball grounded when he could of easily been held up in the tackle – Sinfield again adding the extras pushing the points advantage to 10 with a 16 - 6 scoreline and only five minutes left in the half.

The visitors needing to score first in the second half some would say to have an opportunity in the game, took only six minutes for them to grab a try although at first glance it looked as it had been knocked on in the try area however, Wakefield full back Harry Ratcliffe quickly reacted to ground the ball and after the referee had a quick communication with his touch judge he gave the try and with the extras added by Will Brough the visitors were only four points behind.

Given the end to end fashion of the game it was only right Leeds hit back moments later with centre Luis Roberts crossing for a try, stepping off his right foot to charge back at the defensive line and beating off multiple defenders to score just beside the posts, with Sinfield adding the extra two the Rhinos had a ten-point advantage again.

But minutes later the home side extended their advantage thanks to Presley Cassell taking a great pass from Sinfield splitting the Trinity defence allowing Cassell to score under the posts without a finger touching him. Leeds had a 16-point advantage at 28 – 12 but the visitors Wakefield were not beaten just yet and when Noah Booth shrugged off the attention of Jack Smith, he was able to race away and score the try and with the extras from Will Brough Wakefield were back within 10 points.

The visitors felt the game was there for the taking and with eight minutes left on the clock winger Fredrik Ziegler looked to be heading for the touchline before twisting in the tackle to put the ball down in the right corner with the conversion hitting the post Leeds only had a six-point lead with only minutes remaining.

But Leeds certainly utilised the first team experience in their ranks, Jack Sinfield realising the clock slowly ticking down to full time knew a drop goal would give a seven-point lead and with only two minutes left on the clock he calmly slotted the one pointer over. But Leeds still had more to offer and with the final hooter ready to sound the Rhinos shipped the ball wide to the left and with an overlap on the edge Riley Lumb crossed in the corner putting the icing on the cake for the home side but with the touchline conversion missed the final score read 33 – 22, a nice win for Tony Smith’s men to finish on.

Leeds Rhinos Reserves

1. Marcus Qareqare

2. Riley Lumb

3. Luis Roberts

4. Jack Smith

5. Alfie Johnson

6. George Brown

7. Jack Sinfield

8. Toby Warren

9. Corey Johnson

10. Ben Littlewood

11. Harrison Gilmore