Leeds Rhinos Under-18s took revenge for their earlier season defeat to Castleford Tigers Under-18s as three tries from Dax Millington contributed to a 36-14 win at AMT Headingley.

Rhinos head coach Tony Smith made amendments to his lineup after the win over Huddersfield last time out. Dax Millington’s return to the wing meant that Harry Taylor slotted into the centres in place of Marcus Qareqare, who featured for England Academy mid-week. Noah Whittingham’s two tries against the Giants saw the back rower start alongside Jacob Stead and Presley Cassell, whilst Lore Jones-Buchanan and Alex Cowley returned on the bench for the young Rhinos.

A bright start from the young Rhinos was quashed early when Jacob Hall made a break down the edge, but thankfully good defence from Callum Webster made his opposite number lose the ball. Sparked into life by the half chance, Leeds made sure they got the first score on the board as Presley Cassell grabbed a loose kick from Harry Smith and managed to get the ball to ground.

Leeds continued to show promise as a great break from Harry Taylor almost put Dax Millington over, but desperate defence from the Tigers saw the winger get caught. Stead and Whittingham both got close, but Fergus McCormack managed to unlock the Tigers defence as his bullet pass found Millington in the corner. Thomas converted both tries to make the score 12-0 after ten minutes.

Castleford responded through Jenson Windley to get themselves on the scoresheet, but the Rhinos didn’t let the score get them down as Tony Smith’s side hit back through Millington again; the winger took a long pass over the top from Harry Smith to walk in.

The Rhinos were starting to run up to speed and should have taken the game beyond Castleford, but Bobby Hartley’s offload for George Brown was forward. Castleford meanwhile made sure to keep the pressure on the home side as Alfie Lindsey found the try line to close the score line to eight points.

The final ten minutes belonged to the young Rhinos though as Jacob Stead continued the scoring as he latched onto a loose ball by the posts to score. Millington then sealed his first half hat trick as the winger took a kick for the corner well to make the score 28-10 at the break.

After an explosive first half, naturally both sides took time to get in the groove of the second half. Jacob Hall came closest for cas, whilst Millington on the opposite side was pulled up for a forward pass that would have seen the winger get his fourth of the game. Fergus McCormack also ended a promising attack as the full back was unable to keep hold of the ball on a move to the left.

Just after the hour mark, Leeds made the breakthrough they needed as a shift right opened up space for Callum Webster to take to lead to 22 points, but Cas hit back quickly after as Corey-Jay Sharpe found his way to the line to make the score 32-14 heading into the final ten minutes.

Leeds continued to threaten but it wasn't until the closing stages of the half that they were able to add more points. With free reign and seconds on the clock, McCormack managed to flick an offload away and find Webster, who worked his way into the corner to round off the scoring.

Rhinos U18

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

Subs: 14. Alex Cowley, 15. Jayemm Oladipupo, 16. Lore Jones-Buchanan, 17. Declan White (18^th Man – Dylan Hutchinson)

Tries: Cassell (5), Millington (11, 21, 36), Stead (33), Webster (61, 79)

Goals: Thomas 4/6

Tigers U18s

1. Fletcher Rooney, 2. Jacob Hall, 3. Alfie Wall, 4. Alfie Lindsey, 5. Daniel Sarbah, 6. Corey-Jay Sharpe, 7. Jenson Windley, 8. Akim Matvejev, 9. Alfie Horwell, 10. Bradley Bullock, 11. Samuel Darley 12. Samuel Grice, 13. Woody Walker

Subs: 14. Leon Nestor, 15. Alfie Salmon, 16. Alfie Dale, 18. Alfie Hawkhead (18^th Man – Leo Skerrett-Evans)

Tries: Windley (16), Lindsey (27), Sharpe (69)

Goals: Rooney 1/3