Wakefield 22-28 Leeds: Rhinos get off to a winning start

Leeds got their season off to a winning start as they edged past Wakefield 28-22 at Headingley.

Leeds started the game in good fashion as Luke Briscoe went over four minutes in – but it was soon cancelled out by a wonderful Tom Johnstone try.

Tries from Innes Senior and Matty Ashurst put Wakefield into a 16-4 lead after 20 minutes.

Alex Sutcliffe hit back for Leeds on the half hour mark and momentum swung in the way of the Rhinos.

Richard Agar’s side started to press Wakefield in the latter stages of the first half and efforts from Brad Dwyer and Richie Myler saw the Rhinos 22-16 to the good at half-time.

Johnstone went the length of the field to level the score at 22-22 shortly after the second half restart and at that point it was anyone’s game.

But young centre Jack Broadbent put Leeds back in front on the hour. With five minutes left on the clock, Rhyse Martin added a penalty goal to seal a 28-22 win for Leeds in the opening round.

Wakefield: A Walker; Senior, Lyne, Tupou, Johnstone; Miller, Lino; Fifita, Crowther, Arona, Ashurst, Tanginoa, Westerman. Subs: Wood, Batchelor, Green, Tangata.

Tries: Johnstone (2), Senior, Ashurst Goals: Lino 3

Leeds: Myler; T Briscoe, Broadbent, A Sutcliffe, L Briscoe; L Sutcliffe, Gale; Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Tetevano. Subs: Dwyer, Thompson, Donaldson, Smith

Tries: L Briscoe, A Sutcliffe, Dwyer, Myler, Broadbent Goals: Martin 4

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