Betfred Super League
Fri 21st Jun 2024 KO: 20:00 RD: 15
Attend: 17535 OFFICIAL: Christopher Paul KENDALL

Leeds Rhinos
18 10
HT: 12-0

Leigh Leopards
Tries
Brodie Croft x2
Matt Frawley
Matt Moylan
Edwin Ipape
Goals
Rhyse Martin x3
Matt Moylan
-
Full Back
1
Lachie
Miller
-
Right Wing
2
David
Fusitu'a
-
Right Centre
3
Ned
McCormack
-
Left Centre
4
Paul
Momirovski
-
Left Wing
5
Alfie
Edgell
-
Stand Off
6
Brodie
Croft
TRIES
2 PTS
8 -
Scrum Half
7
Matt
Frawley
TRIES
1 PTS
4 -
Prop
8
Mikolaj
Oledzki
-
Hooker
9
Jarrod
O'Connor
-
Prop
10
Justin
Sangare
-
Second Row
11
James
McDonnell
-
Second Row
12
Rhyse
Martin
GOALS
3 PTS
6 -
Loose Forward
13
Cameron
Smith
-
Int 1
14
Corey
Johnson
-
Int 2
15
Mickael
Goudemand
-
Int 3
16
Ben
Littlewood
-
Int 4
17
Samuel
Eseh
-
Matt
Moylan
TRIES
1 GOALS
1 PTS
6 -
Umyla
Hanley
-
Zak
Hardaker
-
Ricky
Leutele
-
Josh
Charnley
-
Ed
Chamberlain
-
Lachlan
Lam
-
Taealoaloa
Amone
-
Edwin
Ipape
TRIES
1 PTS
4 -
Owen
Trout
-
Kai
O'Donnell
-
Frankie
Halton
-
Jack
Hughes
-
Dan
Norman
-
Matt
Davis
-
Brad
Dwyer
-
Aaron
Pene

On an emotional night that 17,535 fans packed into AMT Headingley to join the club in celebrating the life of Rob Burrow CBE, Leeds Rhinos rose to the occasion to beat Leigh Leopards 18-10.
Brodie Croft’s first half double split the sides at the break, before a low scoring second half saw Matt Frawley seal the win for the home side, despite late tries from Edwin Ipape and Matt Moylan.
After Rohan Smith’s mutual departure earlier in the week, assistant coaches Chev Walker and Scott Grix took charge of a youthful Rhinos side in the absence of Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Sam Lisone and Tom Holroyd. Loan signing Sam Eseh came off the bench for his club debut, whilst Ben Littlewood was named in the matchday 17 but didn’t feature. In the absence of Newman and Handley, a youthful edge of Ned McCormack and Alfie Edgell lined up outside of Rhyse Martin, and Justin Sangare came back into the starting back in place of Holroyd
Before kick off, the whole stadium joined together to pay tribute to Burrow after the Hall of Famer’s passing a fortnight ago. Large pitch flags, fireworks, Operaman’s Nessun Dorma and ‘RB7’ held up along the AMT Stand greeted both teams and a parade of former team mates and staff who worked with Burrow during his time at the club.
With the stadium heightened with emotion, a cagey opening few sets let both sides settle into the contest before Croft broke the deadlock on 10 minutes. Utilising an offside penalty to get themselves closer to the Leigh line, the Rhinos charged forward with Justin Sangare and Cameron Smith before Croft danced his way around Leopards defenders to somehow managed to get the ball on the line for a great solo effort. Although it had to be checked with the video referee, the try was given the green light.
Leigh responded with some light attacks that ended up with the ball out of play – Ricky Leutele was unable to find Charnley as his pass sailed into the front row of the North Stand – or the Leopards player was forced out of play.
The Rhinos took their rewards for strong defence as a knock on by Tom Amone led to Lachie Miller feeding Croft, who showed great speed to go the length of the field to score another sensational try for the Rhinos. Martin couldn’t convert from the sideline as the score was 10-0.
Frankie Halton edged Leigh closer to a score, only to be denied by the video referee as the back rower was judged to be held up. With time ticking down, a late shot on Cameron Smith saw Martin point to the posts and the PNG international nailed the ball through the sticks to make the score 12-0 at half time.
The second period got off to a lively start as Leigh were convinced they had scored five minutes into the half. Leutele thought he had the better of Paul Momirovski and Lachie Miller but Chris Kendall’s no try decision was correct. The Leopards continued the pressure as Edgell and McCormack were forced to deal with Moylan’s last tackle kick, but ultimately Leigh couldn’t convert their chance.
Down at the other end of the field, Leeds were able to cross at the first time of asking. Miller worked the Leigh edge defence well to pass back on his inside for Edgell to break the line. With support on his shoulder, the youngster showed great composure to deliver a great pass for Matt Frawley to get his third try of the season.
The remainder of the game had the Leeds fans on the edge of their seats as Leigh mounted a comeback in the final 20 minutes. A Martin knock on gave the away side their first try as a designed scrum play saw Moylan beat Leeds’ defence to get the ball down.
Dwyer tried a sniping run out of dummy half, much like he did in Rhinos colours, but it was his hooking team mate Edwin Ipape that opened the game up with 13 minutes to go as he took the ball at first receiver and barrelled his way under the posts to close the score to eight points.
Kai O’Donnell and Zak Hardaker missed chances for Adrian Lam’s side, but resolute defending and team work from the Rhinos saw them hold on until full time; Chev Walker and Scott Grix guiding the side to a 18-10 result.
Match Facts
Rhinos
1. Lachie Miller, 2. David Fusitu’a, 4. Paul Momirovski, 31. Ned McCormack, 29. Alfie Edgell, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 17. Justin Sangare, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith
Subs: 26. Corey Johnson, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 32. Ben Littlewood (Not Used) 36. Sam Eseh (18th Man – 30. Tom Nicholson-Watton)
Tries: Croft (11, 29), Frawley (50)
Goals: Martin 3/4
Leopards
6. Matt Moylan, 34. Umyla Hanley, 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Josh Charnley, 21. Ben McNamara, 7. Lachlan Lam, 8. Tom Amone, 15. Matt Davis, 17. Owen Trout, 11. Kai O’Donnell, 16. Frankie Halton, 12. Jack Hughes
Subs: 14. Dan Norman, 9. Edwin Ipape, 33. Brad Dwyer, 35. Aaron Pene (18th Man - 34. Darnell McIntosh)
Tries: Moylan (58), Ipape (68)
Goals: Moylan 1/2
77 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Tom Amone OFF
73 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Owen Trout OFF
71 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Mikolaj Oledzki OFF
69 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Sam Eseh OFF
69 mins
GOAL
scored for by
Matt Moylan
68 mins
TRY
Try scored for Leigh Leopards by
Edwin Ipape
63 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Aaron Pene OFF
62 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Cameron Smith OFF
59 mins
GOAL
scored for by
Matt Moylan
58 mins
TRY
Try scored for Leigh Leopards by
Matt Moylan
55 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Michael Goudemand OFF
54 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Dan Norman OFF
54 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Jack Hughes OFF
51 mins
GOAL
scored for by
Rhyse Martin
49 mins
TRY
Try scored for Leeds Rhinos by
Matt Frawley
48 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Justin Sangare OFF
42 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Sam Eseh OFF
39 mins
GOAL
scored for by
Rhyse Martin
33 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Mikolaj Oledzki OFF
31 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
David Fusitua OFF
30 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Tom Amone OFF
28 mins
GOAL
scored for by
Rhyse Martin
27 mins
TRY
Try scored for Leeds Rhinos by
Brodie Croft
21 mins
INT
Interchange for Leeds Rhinos
Justin Sangare OFF
18 mins
INT
Interchange for Leigh Leopards
Owen Trout OFF
11 mins
GOAL
scored for by
Rhyse Martin
10 mins
TRY
Try scored for Leeds Rhinos by
Brodie Croft