WARRINGTON Wolves’ tasted defeat for the first time this season as they
went down 26-18 at Leeds Rhinos in a titanic tussle involving the two
form teams predicted by many to make the end of season Grand Final at
Old Trafford.
The Wolves were guilty of a few too many errors as they surrendered their unbeaten record against the team which ended their Grand Final dream last season.
Defences were on top in the opening quarter as Paul Wood was held up over the line when he looked certain to score after just four minutes.
It was Leeds who eventually broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Danny Maguire eventually breached the Wolvces defence following a fumble by Paul Wood who surrendered possession. Kevin Sinfield made no mistake with the conversion.
Five minutes later Leeds doubled their advantage as Zak Hardaker went over for a walkover try as the Warrington defence was ripped to shreds. Sinfield was again on target.
To their credit Warrington bounced back after good work by Lee Briers and Richie Myler sent Matty Blythe over on the half hour with Briers keeping his cool to add the extras.
Five minutes later a sweeping move saw Warrington back on level terms with Briers making the final pass to send Chris Hill over for his first try for the club. Briers was again on target to make it 12-12 at the break.
The Rhinos once again drew first blood at the start of the second half as Callum Watkins went over in the corner as Sinfield landed a towering conversion.
But the lead was short lived as Ben Westwood forced the ball over the line and Briers converted to make it 18-18.
A Sinfield penalty on 53 minutes opened up a narrow gap and then Warrington were cruelly robbed of a super try after a Myler bomb was flicked back by Briers allowing his half back partner to scamper over the line. But the video referee revealed that Micky Higham was within the 10, although he was not intfering with play the letter of the law resulted in No try.
Leeds scored what proved to be the match winning try on 67 minutes when Myler fumbled over his own try line allowing youngster Liam Hood to touch down, with Sinfield making no mistake with the extras.
In a bruising encounter the Wolves, who were already missing Brett Hodgson, Michael Monaghan, Ben Harrison and the suspended Chris Bridge, saw Stefan Ratchford (pictured right) and Garreth Carvell having to leave the field through injury.
