Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves rode their luck to snatch a dramatic late winner against 12 man Leeds Rhinos to mark Daryl Powell’s first league game in charge with a 20-22 victory.
A man down for much of the game after James Bentley’s 16th-minute red card, had led after tries from Zane Tetevano, Matt Prior and Ash Handley.
Two Josh Charnley tries helped Warrington back into the game after Gareth Widdop’s early opener which was against the run of play with young Connor Wrench crossing to tie the scores late on before Stefan Ratchford’s touchline conversion secured victory.
HOW ABOUT THAT! 😱
What a way to open the game for @WarringtonRLFC. 👏#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/uMRBwfL07a
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 12, 2022
In a hot-tempered game, referee Chris Kendall showed three cards, the second two of them yellow.
Former Wire Brad Dwyer, who impressed against his former club after coming off the bench was the first sin-binning as Leeds ended the first half with 11 men, as Charnley scored the first of his two tries, before Wire had new signing Oli Holmes yellow carded after the break.
After trailing from Widdop’s early try which was completely against the run of play in the opening 15 minutes, it was an attempt to stop the half-back that cost Leeds the services of Bentley who saw red after a head-high challenge.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side as they suffered first-half injuries to another former Wire Richie Myler and debutant David Fusitu’a. But despite the setbacks, they rallied well when Dwyer came off the bench to help Tetevano cross the line, before fellow front-rower Prior marked his 300th career appearance with a similar close-range try. Rhyse Martin converted both to make it 12-4, only for Dwyer to get sin-binned for a late challenge on the dangerous Widdop.
Warrington took full advantage as George Williams, Matt Davis and Holmes combined to allow Charnley in on the right, the winger continuing his run inside to make acting captain Ratchford’s kick an easier task.
But the hard-working Leeds, who led 12-10 up at the interval, scored again when skipper Kruise Leeming’s clever kick sent in Handley who outpaced Charnley to score in the corner.
Martin kicked a superb touchline conversion and then added a penalty after Holmes was sin-binned for a high tackle on Leeds second-rower James Donaldson, with the home fans incensed it wasn’t a red.
But as time ticked on Warrington made the extra man count and from 20-10 down, and with Holmes back on, Ratchford’s well-timed pass got Charnley in again 14 minutes from time.
Then with the clock ticking down Ratchford got Wrench over for Wire’s fourth try, then kept his nerve to land the angled conversion to snatch a thrilling victory, which proved to be a great advert for terrestrial TV as Channel 4 kicked off their Super League coverage.
Wrench dives over – Picture Eddie Whitham
🗣️ "He could be in trouble!"
It's a defining moment in the game with the high tackle and a 🟥 card for @leedsrhinos!#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/FwpkzacsSD
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 12, 2022
Leeds: Walker; Handley, Sutcliffe, Briscoe, Fusitu’a; Myler, Sezer; Smith, Martin, Bentley, Tetevano, Leeming, Prior.
Interchanges: Oledzki, Dwyer, Gannon, Donaldson.
Sent off: Bentley (16)
Sin-bin: Dwyer (33)
Warrington: Ratchford; Charnley, Mata’utia, Wrench, Ashton; Widdop, Williams; Mulhern, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Holmes, Davis.
Interchanges: Philbin, Clark, Bullock, Walker.
Sin-bin: Holmes (49)
Man of the Match Stefan Ratchford converts – Picture Eddie Whitham
Making the numbers count 🧮
Just before half-time @WarringtonRLFC hit back and it's all to play for!#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/hCADwd5XrJ
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 12, 2022
Hitting back again! 💪
Another try for @WarringtonRLFC and now only trail by four points. 😬#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/GAsqycGxpD
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 12, 2022
Warrington take the lead!!
What an unbelievable finish we have on @Channel4. 😳#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/Yq0uBcpkN6
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 12, 2022
🗣️ 'We're happy that it's over!'
Man of the match @ratch06 reflects on a fiery encounter as @WarringtonRLFC snatched victory over @leedsrhinos.#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/DRhtxnaVvm
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 12, 2022
