A perfect start to the 2025 Under-18s Academy season saw Leeds Rhinos defeat reigning champions Wigan Warriors 24-4 at Stanningley, despite losing two players to injury.

The young Rhinos were made to fight for their opening-round win after going into half time with only a two-point advantage but quick tries at the start of the second half proved to be the difference as Leeds took away their first league points of the new campaign.

A chilly evening was lit up when the Rhinos came out of the gates firing to grab the early score. Callum Webster got the chance to stretch his legs with a break down the wing, but with only the full back to beat, the winger was caught by Jaiden Drachenberg. Keeping calm, the chance remained for the home side and Presley Cassell took advantage as he charged on Joe Diskin’s pass and drove his way to the try line.

Wigan looked to score off their first chance of the game too as a kick on the last tackle from Finlay Yeoman’s kick bounced out of Cassell’s grasp for Joe Collins to score, but it was disallowed for the Wigan man being offside. Leeds kept the pressure on their opponents, but chances went begging for Dylan Hutchinson and Zak Lloyd - the back rower was brought down shy of the try line as he collected a chip over the top from Harry Smith.

Leeds were made to pay for their missed chances as Wigan hit back on the 15-minute mark. A knock-on from Dax Millington gifted the away side a fresh set of six, and Drachenberg needed no invitation as the full back found a seam to break through straight from the scrum to bring Matty Smith’s side within two points.

They proved to be the only points scored by either side in the half as an arm wrestle saw neither side budge in defence. Hutchinson was unlucky to not take in a pass that could have seen the full back dive over in Leeds’ other best chance of the half, whilst James Gleeson found a pass back inside for a straightforward Wigan try, only for the referee to call the pass forward.

At the start of the second half, the Rhinos came out with a renewed confidence and their quick tempo caught Wigan off-guard two minutes into the new period. Jacob Hardy did well to find a chink in the Warriors’ armour to start the move off, but as he gave Webster the ball, the winger fired a wayward pass back infield that looked to end the play. Luckily, Lloyd was chasing up too as he collected the loose ball to finish a great try. Thomas converted to make the score 12-4.

Wigan’s night got tougher when hooker Joe McGann was sent to the sin bin for a late hit on George Brown. Off the back of going down to twelve players, the visitors’ defence struggled to contain Hardy, who cut back inside to score an important try that gave Walker’s side breathing room on the scoreboard at 18-4.

Webster was denied a try that could have seen Leeds home and dry as the winger collected a ball that was allowed to bounce by Drachenberg, but the referee ruled that the Wigan full back had been impeded from catching the ball by Lloyd. Shifting down the opposite end of the field, the Warriors had the chance to keep the game in the balance as they peppered Leeds’ defence, but the Rhinos stood strong to keep their 14-point advantage intact.

 More strong defence from the Rhinos warded off Wigan’s continual advances, and they were rewarded on the scoreboard as a break by Webster again set up Brown for the game-deciding try.

Heading into the closing stages, tensions boiled over following a Wigan knock-on. A scuffle broke out, resulting in Harley Thomas receiving a red card for a suspected headbutt, while Wigan’s Shea O’Connor was shown a yellow for his involvement. Although Smith’s side looked to finish the game on a high with Gleeson’s double movement over the try line, it didn’t take away from the Leeds celebrations as they opened the season in a winning style.

Teams

Rhinos Under-18s

1. Dylan Hutchinson, 2. Callum Webster, 3. Noah Whittingham, 4. Harley Thomas, 5. Dax Millington, 6. George Brown, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Joe Butterfield, 9. Joe Diskin, 10. Lore Jones-Buchanan, 11. Zak Lloyd, 12.Jacob Stead, 13. Presley Cassell

Subs: 14. Alex Cowley, 15. Daniel Stelfox, 16. Jacob Hardy, 17. Dacx Jones-Buchanan (18^th Man – Oscar Brown)

Tries: Cassell (3), Lloyd (42), Hardy (49), Brown (60)

Goals: Thomas 4/4

Sent Off: Thomas (73 – Professional Foul)

Wigan Under-18s

1. Jaiden Drachenberg, 2. Thomas Bridge, 3. Austin Daniel, 4. James Gleeson, 5. Samuel Dickinson, 6. Finlay Yeomans, 7. Alfie Maden, 8. Shea O’Connor, 9. Joe McGann, 10. Leo Wadsworth, 11. Bailey Jones, 12. Harlen Smith, 13. Joseph Hollins

Subs: 14. Corben Ashurst, 15. Jack Bibey, 16. Lewis Daniel, 17. Michael Porter (18^th Man – John Perry)

Tries: Drachenberg (15)

Sin Bin: McGann (47 – Dangerous late hit), O’Connor (73 – Fighting)