Bu Guy Harvey

The young Rhinos dominated from start to finish and barely gave the Leopards any opportunity, with defence like a brick wall throughout. Four tries from Noah Sheriffe, along with braces for Sonny Hetherington and Jacob Tooala rounding off an emphatic performance. The Rhinos’ relentless pressure and sharp attacking play left the Leopards scrambling, as the away side stamped their authority early on and never let up. From clinical finishing to rock-solid defence, this was a statement win.

Leeds took an early lead after a half break down the middle from Connor Mullins was almost stopped but for a late offload to Jack Mears allowed the stand off to touch down under the posts even with the attempts of the Leigh fullback to take Mears down, scrum half Seth Marchant successful with the conversion.
It took only a couple of sets to pass before Leeds extended their lead in the shape of Jacob Tooala, the centre slicing through the Leigh defence like a hot knife through butter before racing forty metres to score the try, with Marchant adding the extra two. Leeds then went the full length of the field with their next set but couldn’t add more points, however, came away with a drop out from the Leopards.

Leigh’s set in possession were of no threat to the Rhinos, mostly kicking on the last from inside their own half which didn’t change throughout the whole game. Leeds continued their dominance with a score fifteen minutes into the first half when Tooala grabbed his second of the night leaping high above the Leigh defence to grasp the ball from a cross-field kick from Jack Mears before scoring the try, Marchant continuing his successful kicking and the Rhinos had as many points as minutes had passed in the half.

Midway through the first half and Leeds were scoring more points when Noah Sheriffe grabbed his first of the night racing down the left flank untouched to score in the corner after a great run from fullback Jack Smith had given Sheriffe the room to race in to, Marchant kicking the conversion from the touchline.
Sheriffe doubled his try tally minutes later, when in a position he looked to be closed off by the Leigh defence, but a step and a twist later and Noah was crashing over for the try but the touchline conversion was a step to far for Marchant missing his first of the night and Leeds 28-0 ahead with fifteen minutes left to play.
Leeds was beginning to have joy with ball in hand most sets at this point unless they made an error, after a rampaging break down the middle from Archie Steele fullback Jack Smith raced through in support receiving the offload from Steele and scoring the try and Marchant successfully adding the extras.

Sonny Hetherington was next to add himself to the try scoring charts crashing over down the left flank after quick hands through the middle gave the centre the opportunity to charge over from close range and Marchant adding the extras again, but Leeds wasn’t finished for the half yet. With the hooter about to sound Robin Smith charged over to score an old-fashioned forwards try.

Noah Sheriffe wasted no time grabbing his hat-trick try with only four minutes on the clock in the second half, Jack Mears with a great cut out pass finding his centre Hetherington who delayed the final pass just long enough to give Noah Sheriffe enough space to go over in the corner, the conversion missed.

A stop start Hal began to play its part with both sides struggling to keep possession with a heavy downpour of rain, but it took Leeds until the 60-minute mark to alter the scoreboard with Noah Sheriffe grabbing his fourth of the night but again missing the conversion. 

With a mixture of first year scholars entering the fray Leeds began to find a few errors in their play but they scored next with the clock ticking down, Sonny Hetherington grabbing his second of the game. The defence from Leigh tiring at this point and it showed with Hetherington crashing over with ease down the left flank, this time Sam Oldroyd adding the extras with Marchant leaving the field.

With the hooter sounding the tired Leopards defence showed again when hooker Noah Lunn spotting the markers off guard to go from dummy half and scoot over for the try completing a total demolition job.

Leigh Leopards Scholarship
1. Ronan Parry
2. Jake Fleming
3. Kobe Mackinnon
4. Harrison Forsythe
5. Charlie Jones
6. Oliver Sumner
7. Sonny Astley
8. Oliver Sinnott
9. Jenson Bamber
10. James Nicholson
11. Harrison Pearson
12. Aaron Killeen
13. Finlay T
14. Jack Egerton
15. Georgie McDermott
16. Austin Townsend
17. Haddison Etchou
18. Kadan Barker
19. David Asatiani
20. Isaac O’Brien

Leeds Rhinos Scholarship
1. Jack Smith
2. Noah Sheriffe
3. Sonny Hetherington
4. Jacob Tooala
5. Samuel Oldroyd
6. Jack Mears
7. Seth Marchant
8. Robin Smith
9. Noah Lunn
10. Connor Mullins
11. Ryan Hosier
12. Alfie Steel
13. Brennan Townend
14. Dylan Baira
15. Jordan Barker-Day
16. Stan Marriott
17. Ellis Johnson
18. Ralph Normington
19. Dillon Eshun
20. Oscar Brown