Leeds Rhinos U18s 26 Castleford Tigers U18s 20

A miracle second-half comeback saw Leeds Rhinos Under-18s overcome a ten-point half-time deficit and two sin-binnings to defeat Castleford Tigers Under-18s 26-20 at Stanningley in the first Academy Qualifier of 2026.

After battling to beat Castleford 26-12 earlier in the season as part of a winning start to 2026, both sides met in the opening Qualifier match with a clean sheet as they joined Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves in beginning the final push to decide which two clubs would partake in this year’s Academy Grand Final. Knowing the importance of a winning start against their Yorkshire rivals ahead of a tough test against Wigan, the young Rhinos were handed a golden opportunity when Max Grinhaff lost the ball from kick-off, but the home side were unable to convert as Sonny Hetherington’s forced a pass to Bailey Hardy that sailed out of play.

Left rueing the opportunity, Tom Schofield’s Castleford side took a surprise lead that started a horror first 40 minutes for the Rhinos. After direct play was dealt with by the visitors, Castleford pushed downfield with a half break from Leo Ogilvie, which turned into a try-scoring opportunity for Josh Hawkins. Sonny Wall spotted a broken edge defence from Leeds and the half-back’s chip kick for the corner saw the Tigers winger rise highest to claim the ball and dot down for his fourth try against Leeds in 2026.

The Rhinos hit back immediately as Hetherington’s drive to the line was too determined for Alfie Holmes, but referee Lucas Seal spotted an obstruction from Robin Smith in the build-up to refuse the try.  Yet another big chance by Leeds was punished by Castleford, who rode ill-discipline from Chev Walker’s side to put themselves in a scoring position and Sean Coughlan converted to give the away side a 10-0 lead before the 20-minute mark.

A frustrating half continued as Leeds missed another scoring chance; Hetherington caught again with a poor pass for Hardy that was put to ground. The Tigers, on the other hand, continued to enjoy the contest as they turned the Rhinos around deep in their own half and held firm in defence to keep Leeds’ key attacking threat at bay. They were rewarded for biding their time as off the back of a long Seth Marchant kick that sailed over the dead ball line, the Tigers opened the right edge up with a fired ball from Wall to set Jack Pallister away. With Wade White and Hardy to beat, the winger powered through the pair to find the try line and make the score 14-0 to quieten the home crowd.

Just when the game couldn’t look any worse for the home side, substitute Noah Lunn was sent to the sin bin for a trip on Georg Downing after Castleford prop looked to clear his lines after diffusing a late chance for Leeds. Fortunately, the young Rhinos didn’t concede a point with half time in sight and instead took away their first points of the night. An error from Noah Lazenby saw the Tigers full back touch a Marchant kick on the last tackle to force a goal line drop out as Leeds knew their chance for a try before half time was waning. After Alfie Steel and Sonny Hetherington tried inspired carries, a quick pass from White out of dummy half found the hands of Liam Watson for the winger to dive over on his return to action. Marchant couldn’t convert as the Rhinos headed into the break 14-4 behind on the scoreboard.

After a stern talk from head coach Walker at the break, Leeds struggled to find their footing as a crazy second half kicked off. Handing Castleford an early penalty, the error was compounded when Steel was sin-binned by referee Seal for dangerous late contact on kicker Wall. Now down to 11 players, the Rhinos looked to be for the taking as they endured constant Castleford attack, but the away side crucially couldn’t add points to their first-half tally even with a two-player advantage.

Truly a game of moments, the introduction of Harvey Butterworth to the action proved to be a masterstroke as a direct run out of dummy half broke the Tigers defence, and Evan Jones managed to convert the break into points moments later with a charge for the line.

Now believing they could get a game-levelling score, another clever play by Butterworth caught the Tigers markers not square and earned a set restart. Driving for the line once more, the hooker took a quick play of the ball from Scott Walker and fired a bullet pass into the ribs of Jones for the prop’s second try. Marchant expertly converted to give the home side their first lead of the game at 16-14.

The game was set up for the taking by either team with under 15 minutes to go, and the Tigers thought they had the advantage when Pallister supported a break by Holmes to score the winger’s second of the game. A holding down penalty on Hetherington proved the Fords’ undoing as the subsequent field position saw Leeds’ spine link up and put White over for the full back’s eighth try of the season to swing momentum back to the Rhinos. With the game level at 20-20, Marchant once again accurately slotted the ball between the posts to make the score 22-20 and leave fans on the edge of their seats with five minutes left.

Even though the Tigers battled valiantly, a forward pass from Finley Dearnley gifted possession back to Leeds to bring the game home. Forcing their opponents to defend three consecutive sets in the dying minutes, Hetherington stepped up to take a pass from Walker to dive in and confirm a 26-20 final score for Leeds.

Teams

Rhinos

1. Wade White 2. Liam Watson, 3. Tom Richardson, 4. Sonny Hetherington, 5. Bailey Hardy, 6. Seth Marchant, 7. Kai Irvine, 8. Brennan Townend, 9. Jack Mears, 10. Evan Jones, 11. Alfie Steel, 12. Robin Smith, 13. Harvey Butterworth

Subs: 14. Noah Lunn, 15. Scott Walker, 16. Connor Lawrie, 17. Junior Rowse (18^th Man – Theo Roberts)

Tries: Watson (39), Jones (60, 63), White (73), Hetherington (79)

Goals: Marchant 3/5

Tigers

1. Noah Lazenby, 2. Josh Hawkin, 3. Sean Coughlin, 4. Alfie Holmes, 5. Jack Pallister, 6. Noah Handley, 7. Sonny Wall, 8. Will Gardner, 9. Leo Ogilvie, 10. Max Grinhaff, 11. Louie Adamson, 12. Harrison Simpson, 13. Noah Whittingham

Subs: 14. Finley Dearnley, 15. Nathan Murray, 16. George Downing, 17. Will Hicklin (18^th Man – Ed McGillan)

Tries: Hawkin (7), Coughlan (17), Pallister (27, 70)

Goals: Wall 2/4