Leeds Rhinos needed golden point extra time to squeeze passed London Broncos as Brodie Croft’s drop goal proved the difference in a 17-16 result at AMT Headingley.

Interim head coach Chev Walker welcomed back quartet Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Andy Ackers and Sam Lisone into the starting lineup after they missed the last outing against Leigh due to concussion protocol. Handley and Newman both featured for England in last weekend’s win over France, and started the game in a straight swap for Alfie Edgell and Ned McCormack. Mickael Goudemand started at prop as he rotated into the pack, with Justin Sangare dropping to the bench, and Sam Eseh retained his place to make his second appearance for the club.

A disappointing first half saw the visitors lead with three tries in the first 40 minutes as the Rhinos struggled to find their rhythm.

Six minutes in, London debutant Josh Rourke opened the scoring after making the initial break to set the Broncos up on the Leeds line. After and good goal line defence had stopped the attack, a quick shift from Oliver Leyland on the next play saw Rourke dummy his way passed Harry Newman to score.

Almost immediately, the Rhinos hit back through the returning Ash Handley. Using an error from the Broncos, Leeds took the territory to their advantage as they spread the ball wide through the hands of Matt Frawley and Harry Newman, whose final pass was perfect for his winger to score.

More pressure from Leeds came, but without a point being scored as the game became scrappy. Thankfully Paul Momirovski gave the home fans something to cheer about on 20 minutes as the centre supported a break by James McDonnell to give Leeds their first lead of the match.

The game took a turn in favour of the Broncos though as two tries before the break gave Mike Eccles’ side a unexpected lead. Off the back of a drive for the line by Marcus Stock, Rhys Kennedy refused to be stopped as he charged under the posts from short range to lock the score up, before Iliess Macani took an offload from Leyland to score in the corner. James Leyland added the extras to make the half time score 16-10.

A dysfunctional start to the second half saw Leeds create plenty of chance, but much like in the first half, the Rhinos couldn’t convert their chances into points. Sam Eseh came close in the opening moments of the new half after good work from Miller and Croft, only to lose the ball in the tackle and hand over possession. Frawley and Miller also connected up but Miller’s intended pass for Newman went straight into the arms of Meadows.

London counteracted through Ugo Tison, who found a hole to dive through before Lewis Bienek crashed over. After a lengthly  review, the video referee came to the decision of a no try.

The game remained in the balance until the final ten minutes. Using the left side of the field again, Cam Smith and Croft combined to put Martin through a gap and the back rower wasn’t going to be stopped from reaching the line.

With the crowd on tender hooks, James Meadows looked to win it with his drop goal attempt from 20 metres out but it hit his own player and Leeds reclaimed. Although Croft couldn’t get his attempt on target in regulation time, the half back stepped up quickly to slot his second attempt in extra time to give the home side a 17-16 result.

Match Facts

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 2. David Fusitu’a, 4. Paul Momirovski, 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith

Subs: 9. Andy Ackers, 15. Sam Lisone, 36. Sam Eseh, 17. Justin Sangare (18^th Man – 21. Jack Sinfield)

Tries: Handley (9), Momirovski (20), Martin (68)

Goals: Martin 2/4

Broncos

23. Josh Rourke, 2. Lee Kershaw, 3. Jarred Bassett, 21. Robbie Storey, 5. Iliess Macani, 20. Oli Leyland, 7. James Meadows, 19. Rhys Kennedy, 9. Sam Davis, 10. Lewis Bienek, 11. Will Lovell, 17. Sadiq Adebiyi, 29. Jacob Jones

Subs: 34. Ugo Tison,16. Jordan Williams, 12. Ethan Natoli, 15. Marcus Stock (18^th Man – 8. Rob Butler)

Tries: Rourke (5), Kennedy (29), Macani (33)

Goals: Leyland 2/3