A try by Harry Taylor in the final moments of the game stole Leeds Rhinos Under-18s a 26-22 win against Bradford Bulls Under-18s as the two sides met in a pre-season friendly at Stanningley.

In preparation for the upcoming Academy season, both sides got to put their training ground moves into practise on the field, especially as the Rhinos fielded a squad of mainly first year Under-18s players. Although they made a positive start by going ahead in the friendly clash, a gruelling first half left the Rhinos rueing missed opportunities and a high penalty count.

The Bulls knocked on the door early by applying pressure on the Leeds line off the back of the first of a few high tackles during the 80 minutes, but the home side made sure they were the first on the scoreboard with Marcus Qareqare. Pushing downfield with good drives from Harley Thomas and Joe Phillips, Noah Whittingham set up a quick play of the ball to allow Tayler Stephenson to feed Qareqare early, and the centre wasn't going to be stopped from getting the ball over the try line.

Despite their quick start, three consecutive tries from Bradford took the wind out of the young Rhinos' sails for most of the first 40 minutes. Forward Jamie Gill edged the Bulls ahead as he powered his way to the line off the back after Leeds had not been able to find touch with a kick for the sidelines, before another Rhinos penalty saw Connor Sayner and Sam Ackroyd both connect up to put Demir Acarer in for his first try of the game.

Ten minutes later, having continued to batter Leeds’ defensive line and force repeat sets in the Rhinos half, the Bulls added a third through Sam Spencer. Even after the home side had looked to break away with Joe Diskin, Bradford turned the passage of play around and on the last tackle, Ackroyd’s kick was met by Spencer in the air and the centre grounded the ball despite Thomas and Harry Taylor’s best efforts. Ackroyd converted one of the three tries to make the score 14-4.

Heading towards the final ten mins, Leeds needed inspiration and looked to the substitutes bench. One man who made an impact was Jayemm Oladipupo, who carried the ball through three defenders before managing to get a quick play of the ball for Diskin to evade the Bradford defence and score. Harry Smith converted to close the deficit to 14-10 at the break.

Most of the events of the second half was similar to the first, with the Bulls dominating possession and Leeds conceding to the referee’s whistle.

Isaac Oughton and Jacob Stead exchanged scoring chances in the first minutes of the new half but to no reward. Ten minutes in, the visitors looked to make a breakthrough as three back-to-back sets led to the Bulls’ spine players exposing space on the edge for Spencer to go over, but the play was called back by the referee for a forward pass in the build up. Nevertheless, they took their chance through Connor Sayner, after Kai Taylor-Smith and Diskin fumbled a huge break for the Rhinos.

An injury to Harley Thomas forced the Rhinos into changes, but they didn’t lack the hunger to get back into the game at 18-10. Jacob Rushforth, who had come on in place of Thomas, would have put Taylor-Smith away if his pass wasn’t forward and Presley Cassell also tried to crash his way over but was held up.

With 15 minutes to go, Oladipupo looked to get Leeds back in the game with a great try. With his West Bowling team mate Cassell creating the half chance, Oladipupo steamed onto a pass and wasn’t going to be stopped from reaching the line to get his first try as an Under-18s player.

A clever restart from the Bulls came off as they retook possession and quickly re-established their lead with Acarer’s second. The Rhinos remained vigilant and even though the clock didn’t look to be in their favour, Cassell was the creator again as his flat ball across the face of the Bradford defence found Diskin running onto it and it was a simple finish for the hooker. With an important conversion to level the game, Smith held his nerve to make the score 22-22 with minutes remaining.

No one at Stanningley foresaw the dramatic end that was bubbling under the surface. An important scrum on their own 40 metre line saw Leeds march towards the try line and on the last tackle, Smith’s kick over the top looked to be dealt with by Sayner but the full back left the ball to bounce and Taylor was there to touch it down and win the game 26-22 for the Rhinos.

The Rhinos now continue preparations ahead of a home clash with St Helens with Stanningley on 14^th March.

Leeds Rhinos U18s

1. Kai Taylor-Smith, 2. Dax Millington, 3. Harley Thomas, 4. Marcus Qareqare, 5. Harry Taylor, 6. Tayler Stephenson, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Bobby Hartley, 9. Joe Diskin, 10. Joe Phillips, 11. Jacob Stead, 12. Noah Whittingham, 13. Presley Cassell

Subs: 14. Dylan Hutchinson, 15. Joe Butterfield, 16. Jayemm Oladipupo, 17. Declan White, 18. Lore Jones-Buchanan, 19. Jacob Rushforth, 20. Alex Cowley

Tries: Qareqare (4), Diskin (29, 74), Oladipupo (65), Taylor (79)

Goals: H.Smith 3/5

Bradford Bulls U18s

Connor Sayner, Will Smith, Sam Spencer, Harvey Duckworth, Demir Acarer, Sam Ackroyd, George Raynor, Jamie Gill, Lewis Owens, Alfie Leake, Riley Sunderland, Conlan Mawson, Freddie Butler

Subs: Aidan Wright, Tyde King, Isaac Oughton, Lucas Child, George McKinley, Patrick O’Riley-Milner, Henry Welsh

Tries: Gill (12), Acarer (14), Spencer (24), Sayner (52), McKinley (68)

Goals: Sam Ackroyd 1/4, Rayner 0/1