WARRINGTON Wolves are in the Super League Grand Final for the first time since 2018 after a thrilling 14-12 win away at Leeds.
Ewan Irwin’s penalty on 65 minutes, the only points of the second half, were the difference as Sam Burgess’ side set up a trip to Old Trafford next Saturday where they will face Wigan or Wakefield.
A gripping finale saw Leeds’ star man Jake Connor miss a penalty from more than 60 metres with the last kick of the game, minutes after a crucial captain’s challenge by Warrington had overturned a brilliant Connor 40/20 kick that would have given Leeds a late look to at the Wolves line to win it.
In a game worthy of the occasion at Headingley, Warrington took a fifth minute lead in style through former Leeds back-rower James Bentley, who will play for Bradford next year.
A kick by George Williams on the last was claimed high by Toby King, who offloaded brilliantly to Matty Ashton on his outside who reversed the ball back inside for Bentley.
Warrington-bound Brodie Croft levelled the scores midway through the first half and then Connor converted his own try to put Leeds 12-6 up front.
But Warrington restored parity by half time when Luke Yates took a flat pass to go over by the side of the posts.
The decisive moment came when Warrington were awarded a penalty for an obstruction on Williams, which Leeds challenged unsuccessfully.
When Irwin converted to make it 14-12, Leeds had to do something. Warrington pinned them back in the final 10 minutes and the Rhinos had to try anything to get out, Riley Lumb coming within a fingertip of plucking an interception.
Ryan Hall then had to snuff out an attack on the other wing, before Leeds got a lifeline when Keenan Palasia charged down Williams’ kick on the last and was tripped on the chase, giving Leeds a penalty to get up field, but a Croft knock on ended the attack.
Then there was drama at the end as Connor had looked to give his side a lifeline with a massive 40/20, only for arguably the greatest ever captain’s challenge by Warrington which showed the pass off the floor ahead of Connor’s kick came from a completed tackle.
It will be Warrington’s fifth Grand Final, and a possibly reunion with Wigan who have beaten them in their last three.
Leeds: McCormack, Hall, Hankinson, Newman, Lumb, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Lodge, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia. Subs: Jenkins, Holroyd, Smith, Cassell.
Warrington: Thewlis, Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton, Williams, Irwin, Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie. Subs: Yates, Powell, Philbin, Tanginoa
