Leeds Rhinos Under-18s Academy confirmed their place in the 2025 Academy Grand Final as Chev Walker’s side overcame a tough St Helens opponent to secure a 20-12 win at AMT Headingley.

In their first Academy semi final for the first time since they lifted the Grand Final trophy in 2022, the Rhinos were met with a stern challenge by the visitors who had been overturned 38-0 in their most recent meeting with the young Rhinos. For the first 20 minutes, nothing could separate the two clubs as Derek Traynor’s Saints side kept Leeds on the back foot in defence, whilst the Rhinos threatened to break – a chance for Oscar Brown was the closest the home side came to an early scoring chance.

After losing Jacob Stead for the majority of the game as the back rower was stretchered from the field for precaution following a heavy collision, the Rhinos made sure they were the first team on the scoreboard with seven minutes to go in the half. Leeds had been unlucky with chances close to the end of the half as Harvey Butterworth’s kick in behind fell into the hands of the home side, but on the next attacking set a chip kick from Harry Smith was taken by Oscar Brown, who scored his 15^th try of the season to break the deadlock.

With one try secured, Walker’s side added a second score to send Leeds into the break ten points up. Using a half break by Zak Lloyd as an opportunity, Harry Smith showed great awareness to follow up his team mate and then set Dacx Jones-Buchanan up for his second try in consecutive games. Lloyd was able to convert the try to make the score 10-0 at the break.

Leeds made sure they set the tempo coming out after the break and should have scored early doors. George Brown was sent darting away off the back of a Dan Stelfox offload, but Jack Campbell brought down the half-back to keep Saints in the game.

The Rhinos refused to let the chance lie and Stelfox was the beneficiary as he took a crash ball from Elliott Fox to get over to make the score 16-0.

Marcus Qareqare’s try on the 62-minute mark gave Leeds a strong foothold in the game that was enough to see the Rhinos over the line at full time – the centre combining with George Brown to find the try line.

Saints kept themselves in the contest as two quickfire tries made the contest interesting in the final ten minutes. Bobby Tyerman was quickest to pick up a loose pass from George Brown to race the length of the field for the away side’s first points of the afternoon, before a break by Will Keeley was supported by Campbell to close the score to 20-12 and make the remaining minutes interesting.

Despite Tom Richardson missing a big chance to confirm the win – the winger being judged to be in touch as he reached for the try line -  the Rhinos held on to confirm their place along with Warrington in this year’s final.

Teams

Rhinos U18

1. Wade White, 2. Tom Richardson, 3. Marcus Qareqare, 4. Oscar Brown, 5. Harley Thomas, 6. George Brown, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Joe Butterfield, 9. Elliott Fox, 10. Presley Cassell, 11. Noah Whittingham, 12. Jacob Stead, 13. Zak Lloyd

Subs: 14. Harvey Butterworth, 15. Dan Stelfox, 16. Dacx Jones-Buchanan, 17. Hughie Tinkler (18^th Man – Dax Millington)

Tries: O.Brown (33), Jones-Buchanan (37), Stelfox (49), Qareqare (62)

Goals: Lloyd 2/4

Saints U18

4. Jack Campbell, 2. Joel Kilgannon, 3. Bobby Tyerman, 1 Kian McGann, 23. Reilly Cosgrove, 6. Tyler McGann, 7. Luca Walsh, 18. Adrian De La Rose, 14. Thomas Humphreys, 10. Matthew Evans, 11. William Keeley, 12. Oliver Garmston, 13. Christopher Matagi

Subs: 20. Oliver Polec, 16. Daniel Kent, 15. Nathan Percival, 8. Oliver Evans (18^th Man – James Moss)

Tries: Tyerman (70), Campbell (72)

Goals: Walsh 2/2