Leeds Rhinos Under-18s left AMT Headingley empty handed as they lost out 24-22 to Castleford Tigers Under-18s in their second game of the year, despite tries from Fergus McCormack, Jayemm Oladipupo, Marcus Qareqare and Jacob Stead.

1st Half

The young Rhinos struggled in the first half as the Tigers took the game to Tony Smith’s side.

After being warned on their own try line by Castleford winger Harrison Jewitt, who was bundled into touch in the act of scoring, Leeds countered down at the opposite end of the field. Bobby Hartley managed to wriggle free of the Tigers defence and get an offload away for Marcus Qareqare to score, but the referee pulled the play back for the offload being forward.

Sensing an opportunity, the visitors opened the scoring when Jacob Hall managed to get on the outside of Dax Millington to put the ball down inside the corner flag. Alfie Wall couldn’t convert.

The lead soon doubled as Millington was unable to take a high kick looking directly into the sunlight. Corey-Jay Sharpe picked up the loose ball to race towards the sticks, and two plays later, Daniel Sarbah scored on the right edge to make the score 10-0 with Wall’s conversion.

The Rhinos were struggling to find the killer blow as the ball kept going to ground from desperate handling but with over 20 minutes gone on the clock, they finally looked to click into gear.

Joe Diskin, on his return from a three-game ban, made an inspired break down the South Stand side and passed inside to Harley Thomas, who was agonisingly caught by Wall. Keeping their composure, the ball found its way to Fergus McCormack, who showed great footwork to pull a try back for the home side.

Castleford extended their lead going into the break though as another dropped fifth tackle kick from Leeds pinned Smith’s side back on their own line. Spotting a gap, half back Jenson Windley threw a convincing dummy and went over himself. Wall converted to separate the teams by ten points at the break.

2nd Half

A perfect start to the second half saw the Rhinos get the crucial early try. A high shot on Corbett made the Tigers uneasy backed up by their try line and Leeds made the pressure count as substitute Jayemm Oladipupo showed great strength to force his way over the try line and plant the ball down.

An improved second half saw Leeds keep up their intentions of scoring, but they let some big chances slip. Prop Joe Phillips and Thomas both came up short of the line on back to back plays, before McCormack and Thomas looked to put Millington over in the corner, only for the winger to end up over the sideline.

The Tigers shared similar chances too; Hall knocking on after the winger had beaten Millington to a bouncing ball, and Wall was held up well by vigilant Leeds defence. Brad Bullock found the key to unlock the Rhinos defence though as the prop got over to increase the Castleford lead to 12 points.

Approaching the last ten minutes, Leeds set up an exciting finish when Qareqare rightfully earned his try as the centre displayed great speed and footwork to beat Tigers defenders to score. The Rhinos were forced to take a hit though as an offside call by the referee saw Wall choose to go for the penalty goal to take the game away from Leeds. The full back converted to make the score 24-16.

Jacob Stead’s try for Leeds proved to be a consolation score with seconds remaining; the Rhinos going down 24-22.

Teams

Rhinos

1. Joe Diskin, 2. Callum Webster, 3. Marcus Qareqare, 4. Harley Thomas, 5. Dax Millington, 6. Fergus McCormack, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Bobby Hartley, 9. Mason Corbett, 10. Joe Phillips, 11. Noah Whittingham, 12. Jacob Stead, 13. Presley Cassell

Subs: 14. Oliver Smart, 15. Joe Butterfield, 16. Jayemm Oladipupo, 17. Declan White (18^th Man – Dylan Hutchinson)

Tries: McCormack (24), Oladipupo (43), Qareqare (68), Stead (79)

Goals: Thomas 3/4

Tigers

1. Alfie Wall, 2. Jacob Hall, 3. Alfie Lindsey, 4. Daniel Sarbah, 5. Harrison Jewitt, 6. Corey-Jay Sharpe, 7. Jenson Windley, 8. Akim Matvejev, 9. Alfie Horwell, 10. Woody Walker, 19. Sam Darley, 27. Sam Grice, 13. Denver Millington

Subs: 14. Alfie Hawkhead, 20. Brad Bullock, 16. Alfie Salmon, 17. Alfie Dale

Tries: Hall (7), Sarbah (14), Windley (31), Bullock (61)

Goals: Wall 4/5