Leeds Rhinos extended their lead at the top of the Super League after a dramatic 24-22 win at Wakefield Trinity, with Chris Hankinson touching down three minutes from time to complete a remarkable comeback.
Wakefield led 22-6 with half an hour remaining, but tries from James McDonnell and Cameron Smith reduced the deficit before Hankinson seized on a Jake Connor kick to snatch victory, with Connor converting.
Thrilling West Yorkshire derby
The match was billed as a potential statement from Wakefield, who were playing in front of a sell-out crowd against their West Yorkshire rivals. Trinity, a Championship side two years ago, looked set to go joint-top of the table and end their 60-year wait for a major trophy.
However, Leeds showed the resilience that has become their hallmark. Brad Arthur's side had spent pre-season warning there would be no repeat of last year's playoff defeat to St Helens, when they were beaten in the final seconds.
Leeds show title credentials
“That’s the evidence of us learning from it,” Arthur said. “We’ve done the work. Under a bit of pressure we kept our composure. I challenged them at half-time to go right to the 80th minute … boy, they did it.”
Wakefield had controlled large parts of the game, with tries from Isaiah Vagana, Caleb Hamlin-Uele and Jayden Myers giving them a 16-6 half-time lead. Brodie Croft's try just before the break kept Leeds in touch, and when Jack Sinfield scored against his former club to make it 22-6, the Rhinos looked beaten.
But Leeds dug deep, with McDonnell's try starting the comeback and Smith, who will play for Wakefield in 2027, scoring to reduce the deficit to four points. Hankinson then completed the turnaround.
Wakefield left to rue missed chance
Leeds are now four points clear with five games left, in prime position to win their first trophy in six years. Wakefield, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on another narrow defeat, having lost by four to Wigan in the cup quarter-finals and now by two to the league leaders.
“The story this year is not over,” Wakefield's coach, Daryl Powell, said. “Leeds might have got off tonight, but I’m pretty comfortable going against them again in a playoff game. They’re a great side, but I watched us thinking if we play how we did in the first half we’re a fair team to defend against and play against.”
