Leeds Rhinos Under-18s’ season came to an end at Bartercard Odsal Stadium as the young Rhinos lost out 24-22 to Bradford Bulls in the final fixture of the year.

The Bulls got out of the gates quickly as they established a three-score lead in the opening 15 minutes. Leeds looked to have the first opportunity for points after a knock-on from Bradford in the opening play of the game, but George Rayner was alert to Harry Smith’s kick on the last tackle and sparked a break that sent George McKinley downfield. As the Leeds defenders chased back, the winger found a pass inside for Harvey Duckworth, who touched down.

A mix up between Marcus Qareqare and Callum Webster led to Connor Sayner adding a second score for the home side, and Henry Welsh also got over the try line too as he caught the Leeds defence napping to dive over out of dummy half. Duckworth converted two tries to make the score 16-0.

After the initial shock Leeds needed a reply to settle their nerves. Five minutes after conceding the third try, the Rhinos pushed up-field and sensing an opportunity, Qareqare took an inside pass from Joe Diskin to break through the ruck and beat the Bulls full back to score.

The score remained locked at 16-6 for the remainder of the half, but both sides had opportunities to find the try line. Cameron Bate got over the line for the Bulls, but was judged to have produced to double movement to get the ball over the line, and Joel Rice also came close to catching Frederick Butler’s crossfield kick. Leeds’ sole response saw Qareqare find an opening, but he couldn’t smuggle the ball away for Jacob Rushworth.

In need of a quick start to save their season, the young Rhinos opened the second half with two tries to cancel out the Bulls’ first half efforts. Utilising a high tackle on George Brown to their advantage, Jacob Stead hit a hole and got rid of two tacklers to find the try line to edge the score back to within four points. Then from the restart, Oscar Brown produced a piece of magic as the forward took the ball and ran the length of the field to level the score and open the game up for the visitors.

Bradford chose to convert two penalty goals off the back of Leeds errors to keep themselves ahead as the half continued, but substitute Matthew Rolls turned the tables for the Rhinos heading into the final ten minutes. Cassell, who had broken the Bradford line multiple times in the game, found an opening to go into the backfield, and with options either side, he found Rolls, who finished a crucial try. Thomas added the two points to give Leeds their first lead of the game with the score at 22-20.

Knowing a final try would finish the contest, George Brown threw a long ball out to try and put Harry Taylor over, only for Rice to intercept the pass. Moving towards the try line, Duckworth managed to react quickest to Rayner’s kick to score his second try and win the game for the home side. 

Bulls Under-18s

1. Connor Sayner, 2. George McKinley, 4. Harvey Duckworth, 3. Patrick O’Reilly-Milner, 5. Joel Rice, 6. Frederick Butler, 7. George Rayner, 8. Alfie Leake, 14. Henry Welsh, 18. Joe Bullough, 12. Conlan Mawson, 11. Riley Sunderland, 13. Cameron Bate

Subs: 14. Isaac Oughton, 15. Jacob Dibden, 16. Seth Clapham, 17. Macall Baker

Tries: Duckworth (3, 73), Sayner (8), Welsh (16)

Goals: Duckworth 4/6

Rhinos Under-18s

1. Marcus Qareqare, 2. Callum Webster, 3. Harley Thomas, 4. Jacob Rushforth, 5. Harry Taylor, 6. George Brown, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Joe Phillips, 9. Alex Cowley, 10. Declan White, 11. Oliver Smart, 12. Jacob Stead, 13. Presley Cassell

Subs: 14. Joe Diskin, 15. Dax Millington, 16. Oscar Brown, 17. Matthew Rolls (18^th Man – Dylan Hutchinson)

Tries: Qareqare (20), Stead (43), Brown (45) Rolls (69)

Goals: Thomas 3/4