By Guy Harvey

Mark Butterill’s Scholarship side entered their fixture against Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley having accumulated 160 points across their opening three fixtures, however Huddersfield come with their own unbeaten record having scraped wins against Castleford, Wakefield and Hull FC.

Leeds started the first half strongly, applying early pressure on the visitors and opening the scoring seven minutes in when quick hands through the middle created space on the right edge, allowing winger Liam Watson to squeeze over in the corner.

Defensively, Leeds looked solid, but it was Huddersfield who struck next - just when it seemed the Rhinos were about to extend their lead. A loose pass couldn’t be taken cleanly by centre Jacob Tooala, and Giants winger Zach Milnes intercepted before racing 90 metres to score. The conversion was missed, keeping the scores level at 4–4.

Both sides dug in defensively as the game became a battle for territory and momentum. The deadlock was broken when an inside ball from the Giants found stand-off Joshua Cook, who broke through the line and passed inside to second-rower Kieran Massey for an easy try under the posts. Jack Demaine added the extras to give Huddersfield a 10–4 lead approaching the half-hour mark.

Leeds responded before the break, scrum-half Seth Marchant picking out fullback Jack Smith with a well-timed pass out the back, and Smith used his strength to power over the line. Tooala slotted the conversion, levelling the scores once more. However, a late penalty for a high tackle gave Demaine the chance to edge the Giants ahead with a kick at goal, which he converted to give his side a 12–10 lead at the half.

The second half began at a frantic pace, with Leeds nearly scoring in the opening minute after a clever kick from Jack Mears caused panic in the Giants’ in-goal area. Soon after, centre Hetherington looked to have broken through for a score, only to be pulled back for a forward pass.

Leeds finally broke through again via a smart scrum play, catching Huddersfield off guard. Fullback Jack Smith darting over for his second try of the night, and Tooala’s conversion gave the Rhinos a 16–12 lead.

The match tightened again, with both sides locked in a fierce defensive contest. Eventually, it was Huddersfield centre Jovi Bentley-Elliott who broke the deadlock, running a superb line on the left edge to score. Demaine’s conversion edged the visitors in front, 18–16.

With time running out, Huddersfield secured the win when loose forward Logan Jackman crashed over from close range. Demaine added the extras once more, and the Giants managed the closing moments professionally to preserve their unbeaten record.

Despite the defeat, Mark Butterill’s side can take plenty of positives from a gritty performance in a high-quality contest.

Leeds Rhinos Scholarship

• Jack Smith


• Liam Watson


• Jacob Tooala


• Sonny Hetherington


• Bailey Hardy


• Jack Mears


• Seth Marchant


• Robin Marchant


• Noah Lunn


• Will Mathers


• Ryan Hosier


• Alfie LSteel


• Brennan Townend


• Connor Lawrie


• Sam Oldroyd


• Connor Mullins


• Toby Wieland


• Henry Brough


• Ben Smith


• Harry Thompson

Huddersfield Giants Scholarship

• Jack Demaine


• Austin Byrne


• Max Thompson


• Jovi Bentley-Elliott


• Zach Milner


• Joshua Cook


• Jack Martyn


• Alfie Merta


• Lucas Early


• Reuben Tetteh


• Finlay Watson


• Connor Hanson


• Logan Jackman


• Fred Lawless


• James Lee


• Lucas Toohey


• Kieran Massey


• Jack Southwell


• Tyler Lindsay


• Connor McGuiness