By Guy Harvey

Leeds’ reserves side went head-to-head with a Warrington team sitting just above them in the table only on points difference, with both teams having suffered only one defeat—Warrington against Hull KR and Leeds against Hull FC.

Reserves coach Chev Walker named a side featuring a mix of experienced first-team players including a return from injury for Andy Ackers and promising youngsters making a name for themselves at the club but most notably was Max Simpson who returned form a two-year injury absence.

A brace of tries from Jack Sinfield as well as solo efforts from a number of the Rhinos squad would eventually see the Rhinos score a comfortable win on paper however for most of the game it was a tough arm wrestle.>The game started at ferocious pace but the first error came from a Warrington knock on five minutes in to the first half just short of halfway and the Rhinos took full advantage with Jack Sinfield taking the ball to the wires defensive line then throwing the dummy pass before charging over himself from close range to touch down for the opening try of the game.

Warrington then kicked the ball out on the full from the restart and Leeds looked to increase their advantage, but a Matt Frawley knock eased the pressure on the visitors. Leeds almost added more points moments later when the returning Max Simpson crossed the try line, however the officials agreed he had been held up.

Warrington did not show any danger of scoring until midway through the first half when they finally found themselves deep in Leeds’ half but a delicate kick from the Wolves was taken by Alfie Edgell, but he was tackled in his own try area forcing the Rhinos to take the drop out.

The short drop out from Leeds proved to be the wrong option though when the visitors scored their first points of the game seconds later when loose forward Tom Whitehead crossed for the try spinning his way through two would be tacklers and with the conversion from Irwin the score was six all.

Warrington began to take control of the game and managed to force another drop out which the Rhinos surprisingly went for the short option again but unfortunately it went out on the full again. Leeds however showed grit in defence and forced the error from Warrington.

Leeds then went the length of the field thanks to a penalty thrown in midway through to score again, this time spreading the ball wide with a great pass from Sinfield finding Max Simpson on the right edge with a gaping hole in the Warrington defence Simpson was able to glide through untouched and with Sinfield adding the extra two Leeds were 12-6 ahead.

Warrington almost levelled the scores moments later when forward Isaac Reid appeared to have broken through to score under the posts. However, scrambling defence from the Rhinos shut him down quickly, and in their haste to go again, Warrington chose a poor passing option, resulting in a knock-on and the Rhinos made it to half time holding on to their six-point lead.

The second half began in similar fashion as the first in soaring Leeds heat but both sides showed great levels of athleticism but it was the Rhinos that extended their lead ten minutes in to the half when although it looked like Leeds had been forced in to a corner Presley Cassell showed great strength to for his way over from close range.

Leeds began to take a stronghold off the game and almost scored again moments later when prop Joe Butterfield charged at the posts only to be held up in goal. But it only delayed the inevitable as minutes later the Rhinos found themselves deep in Warrington territory and this time young forward Zak Lloyd charged over from short and with the conversion from Sinfield Leeds were 22-6 ahead.

Warrington then really began to tire, and it showed as the line breaks started for the Rhinos. And with a great offload in the middle to Jack Sinfield he only had the full back to beat before touching down beside the posts.

The Rhinos were not finished there however and piled the pressure on the visitors with Marcus Qareqare the next to find his name on the scoresheet crossing in the right corner thanks to quick hands in the middle but with conversion missed Leeds had a 32-6 lead with ten minutes remaining.

Leeds extended their advantage moments later after a breakthrough the middle by Presley Cassell opened things up for the Rhinos. Cassell offloaded to Joe Diskin, who raced away to score, with Sinfield adding the extras. However, Warrington hit back in the shape of winger James Duffy, who took full advantage of an overlap. The visiting halves quickly spread the ball to the right, allowing Duffy to race down the edge and cross for the try. Irwin adding the extras for the visitors and it was 38-12 with three minutes remaining.

The home side still found time to score another try however with seconds before the full-time hooter would sound a quick offload to Cooper Jenkins allowed the Australian the opportunity to crash over for the four pointer just beside the posts, Sinfield with an easy conversion and the game finished up 44-12 and another confident performance form Chev Walkers reserves.

TEAMS

Leeds Rhinos Reserves

Alfie Edgell

Marcus Qareqare

Max Simpson

Ethan Clark-Wood

Elliot Wallis

Jack Sinfield

Matt Frawley

Joe Butterfield

Andy Ackers

Cooper Jenkins

Oliver Smart

Presley Cassell

Jacob Stead

Joe Diskin

Zak Lloyd

Harley Thomas

Noah Whittingham

George Brown

Warrington Wolves Reserves

Flynn Holden

James Duffy

Charlie Walker

Zack Gardner

Lachlan Webster

Joseph Hickey

Ewan Irwin

19. Thomas Mckinney (19)

Benjamin Hartill

Luke Thomas

Ewan Smith

Kian Stanton

Thomas Whitehead

Daniel Regan

Isaac Reid

Charlie Mckler

Joseph Bajer

Oliver Morgan