Leeds Rhinos’ winning streak in the Betfred Super League came to an end at AMT Headingley as Brad Arthur’s side lost out 16-10 to Catalans Dragons.
Second-half tries from Ryan Hall and Brodie Croft pulled Arthur’s side back into the contest, but they were left to rue a poor first half by the full-time whistle.

The Rhinos made three changes from the side that beat Huddersfield, as influential half back Jake Connor was sidelined through injury. Jack Sinfield stepped up in his place, while there was a welcome return for Keenan Palasia after the prop had brushed off his own injury scare. Tom Holroyd was also included on the bench for his first minutes since round 17.

Coming into the game on the back of keeping opponents scoreless in consecutive fixtures, Leeds produced a lacklustre first half and went into the break 8-0 down as the visitors dominated the opening 40 minutes.

The home side looked to strike first when a Catalans error from the kick-off put them immediately on the defensive. Jarrod O’Connor and Mikolaj Oledzki both drove for the line, but the Dragons stood firm to deny the early chance. Their defensive resolve was rewarded on 14 minutes when, after sustained pressure, Ugo Tison darted out of dummy half to ground the ball. Although the hooker appeared to knock on initially, video referee Liam Rush had enough evidence to confirm the try, giving Joel Tomkins’ side a surprise lead.

It remained a close-knit half as the Rhinos battled hard against a resolute Dragons defence. Catalans repeatedly turned Lachie Miller back close to his own line, restricting Leeds from building pressure. At the other end, Bayley Sironen was denied by a brilliant tackle from Miller, while Leeds’ best chance fell to Chris Hankinson. Good work from Sinfield and Holroyd, along with the impact of Sam Lisone, put the Rhinos in range, but Hankinson couldn’t finish a wide move and the opportunity was lost.

With half-time in sight, a Leeds penalty allowed Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet to call for the kicking tee, and the full back slotted the goal to make it 8-0 at the break.

Leeds mounted a comeback in the second half with tries from Hall and Croft, but it proved too little, too late. Aispuro-Bichet quickly followed his first-half penalty with a second 12 minutes after the restart, punishing a ball steal on Morgan Gannon, and the Dragons extended their lead into double figures.

After being hampered by errors, Catalans came under pressure when Leeds forced four penalties on their line. Referee Jack Smith had no choice but to sin-bin Romain Navarrete, and the Rhinos finally broke their deadlock. Sinfield’s drive for the posts brought him up short but gave Leeds the perfect platform, and Croft’s clever kick was claimed by Hall for a much-needed try.

Gannon then spurned another golden chance when he lost the ball going to ground close to the line. With the momentum swinging, Luke Keary attempted a drop goal, but his effort struck the uprights. The Dragons half back was quickest to the rebound and forced a tackle that dislodged the ball from Miller’s grasp, allowing Julian Bousquet to pounce and ground it for a crucial score.

A late effort from Croft pulled Leeds back within six points, but the Dragons held firm to end the Rhinos’ winning run.

Teams

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 31. Chris Hankinson, 3. Harry Newman, 28. Max Simpson, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 20. Jack Sinfield, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 17. Cooper Jenkins, 16. Morgan Gannon, 12. James McDonnell, 10. Keenan Palasia

Subs: 28. Kallum Watkins, 15. Sam Lisone, 11. James Bentley, 19. Tom Holroyd (18^th Man – 9. Andy Ackers )

Tries: Hall (64), Croft (78)

Goals: Miller 1/2

Dragons

26. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Reimis Smith, 5. Nick Cotric, 22. Fouad Yaha, 6. Luke Keary, 21. Theo Fages, 16. Romain Navarrete, 33. Ugo Tison, 20. Jordan Dezaria, 17. Bayley Sironen, 11. Tariq Sims, 9. Ben Garcia

Subs: 25. Tanguy Zenon, 10. Julian Busquet, 15. Chris Satae, 19. Bayley Sironen (18^th Man – 18. Cesar Rouge)

Tries: Tison (14), Bousquet (72)

Goals: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet 4/4