By Guy Harvey

The Rhinos Reserves were back in action on home soil at Stanningley ARLFC, facing league leaders and old foes St Helens.  Both sides came into the game boasting an undefeated record, however Saints had six wins compared to the Rhinos with three, owing to postponements and the previous game against Wigan sadly being abandoned due to an injury. The fans in attendance certainly weren’t disappointed either.

As expected, the game started at a lightning pace with steely defence from both and it was the Rhinos defence that would benefit from the forced error early on with Saints knocking on only thirty metres out from their own try line. The Rhinos took the scrum in the centre of the field and after a couple tackles used, they worked the ball out wide to Luis Roberts who charged over from close range to score. As expected, the tight contest continued with fantastic defence from both outfits going set for set, including some outstanding catching of the high ball from both teams back lines definitely worth a mention. It would be the forced error however that would lead to the next try, after the home side knocked on just inside their own half Saints would take advantage with their forward pack gaining big yards, it was then played out to the right finding McKenzie Buckley to charge to the try line and be quite thankful to the length of his arms as he was able to stretch far enough as he went down in the tackle to put the ball down on the line.

Leeds would be quick to respond however during their next possession, off the back of forwards charging down the middle and finally a quick play the ball Bailey Aldridge spotted some space to rush through and find Freddie Brennan-Jones to continue going forward and just shy of the try line himself would offload in the tackle back to Aldridge who was able to dive over for the score under the posts making the score 10-6 halfway through the first half. Errors would begin to be the talking point for both coaches after another Leeds knock on would give the away side possession mid way through the Rhinos half. The Saints pack took full advantage and after three big drives were able to score marching over for the try and with a successful conversion would take 12-10 lead in at half time.

The Rhinos were quickest out of the blocks for the second half maybe catching St Helens a little cold after Kai Morgan was able to throw dummy and race through Saints defence from half way and only just coming up short of scoring himself. The Rhinos would receive a penalty however from Saints having hands in the tackle, after taking the tap would quickly pass the ball out wide with Shane Tuohey plenty of space to dive over for the try. Moments later Leeds extended their through Luis Roberts scoring his second of the game in an almost carbon copy of his first half try with Kai Morgan and Luke Hooley combining well before reaching Roberts and with Hooley converting would make the score 22-12.

Sadly, that would be the final points scored on the night for Leeds and only minutes later Saints would be scoring after an overlap on their left flank would allow a break for the winger and as the defence were rushing back a cross field kick caused mayhem, sadly the race to collect the ball was won by the away crossing for the try but missing the conversion making the score 22-16. With the clock ticking down a superb solo effort from Saints half back Daniel Moss would break Rhinos spirits after throwing a dummy pass, creating a gap in the Leeds for Moss to race through and just the Leeds full back to beat and with a superb step would evade Hooley and cross for the try under the posts and successfully convert his own try and take the scores to 22-22.

The final minutes would be filled with desperate defence and a drop goal attempt from either side, both of which would be charged down by an oncoming defender causing chaos and mayhem for both sides but ultimately it would be a step to far and the game finishing a draw and maybe a fair result in the end however a hard one to accept for Leeds and St Helens after so much effort being contributed by each team.

The Reserves are next in action away at Wakefield Trinity at The Be Well Support Stadium on Saturday 10^th June with a 2pm kick off.

Leeds Rhinos Reserves

1. Luke Hooley
   
2. Dylan Proud
   
3. Luis Roberts
   
4. Charlie Venables
   
5. Shane Tuohey
   
6. Alfie Edgell
   
7. Kai Morgan
   
8. Luca Atkinson
   
9. Bailey Aldridge
   
10. Freddie Brennan-Jones
    
11. Leon Ruan
    
12. Benjamin Hursey-Hord
    
13. Harrison Gilmore
    
14. William Shaw
    
15. Zachary McSwiney
    
16. Harry Medlicott
    
17. Lewis Peacock
    

St.Helens Reserves

1. Daniel Hill
   
2. Alfie Whittle
   
3. Wesley Bruines
   
4. Nathan Bannerman
   
5. Keane Gilford
   
6. Taylor Pemberton
   
7. Daniel Moss
   
8. Brett Bailey
   
9. Jake Burns
   
10. Lewis Baxter
    
11. Matthew Foster
    
12. McKenzie Buckley
    
13. Eliot Peposhi
    
14. Harvey Braddish
    
15. Leunbou Bardyel-Wells
    
16. Sam Oakes
    
17. Alfie Sinclair