Leeds demonstrated why they are the benchmark in the Super League with a thrilling 24‑22 comeback win over Wakefield at the buzzing DIY Kitchens Stadium, a match that highlighted both their resilience and attacking flair. The decisive moment came when Chris Hankinson crossed the line and then slotted the conversion, sealing a victory that underscored Leeds’ title credentials. The first half belonged largely to Wakefield, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of former Leeds half‑back Jack Sinfield.
The 22‑year‑old, the son of Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield, was a constant menace for his old club. Within the opening eight minutes he set up two of Wakefield’s three first‑half tries, delivering precise passes that allowed the hosts to sprint to a 16‑0 lead. Sinfield’s influence was evident not only in his playmaking but also in his own try, which he scored shortly after the break to push the score to 22‑6 and give Trinity a glimmer of hope of matching Leeds on points. However, the league leaders found a second wind in the final thirty minutes.
James McDonnell and Cameron Smith struck while Sinfield was temporarily off the field, and even after the youngster returned, the momentum stayed firmly with Leeds. A low kick from Jake Connor set up Hankinson, who pounced and then added his fourth conversion in the 78th minute, sealing the win for the home side. Leeds now sit four points clear of their West Yorkshire rivals at the summit of the table, having snapped Wakefield’s impressive seven‑match winning streak.
The early stages of the game saw Leeds exert pressure, forcing Wakefield into a series of goal‑line drop‑outs after Connor’s 40‑20. Sinfield, playing a defensive role, helped drive the returning Leeds captain Ash Handley into touch, easing the pressure and allowing Wakefield to regroup.
When Wakefield finally broke free, Sinfield’s deft chip over the top bounced past defender Lachie Miller, enabling Isaiah Vagana to touch down the opening try. The match continued to be a roller‑coaster of momentum swings. Wakefield’s powerful prop Caius Faatili made an immediate impact off the bench, bulldozing through Leeds’ defence and passing inside to Caleb Hamlin‑Uele, who scored under the posts. Sinfield’s dummy and off‑load then found Jayden Myers in the corner, extending Wakefield’s lead to 16‑0 after just 29 minutes.
Leeds finally got on the board before halftime when Brodie Croft exploited a gap to score, ending the first half with a 16‑6 deficit. The second half began with Wakefield still in control; Sinfield collected a pass from Faatili, feigned wide, then powered through two defenders to score a try that was upheld by the video referee despite some controversy over grounding. He added the conversion, pushing Wakefield’s lead to 22‑6. Leeds responded with determination.
After a brief period of confusion when Alfie Edgell’s foot was dragged into touch and Jarrod O'Connor was held up, James McDonnell seized the opportunity with a well‑timed run and scored with just half an hour left on the clock. The visitors kept the pressure on, and Jake Connor’s third conversion narrowed the margin to four points. Later, Cameron Smith, who will join Hull KR next season, showcased the qualities that his future club will benefit from. He slipped free of defenders, found a gap, and crossed for a try, while Connor’s successful conversion put Leeds ahead for the first time with only three minutes remaining.
In the dying moments, Hankinson finished the comeback with a clever grubber from Connor, and his conversion cemented a 24‑22 triumph for Leeds. In other Super League action, Hull KR delivered a crushing defeat to Castleford, scoring eight tries in a 44‑0 rout at the OneBore Stadium. Castleford, missing head coach Ryan Carr for personal reasons and coming off a string of five defeats in six games, were unable to stem the tide.
KR’s Tom Davies and Tyrone May each recorded a brace, while Rhyse Martin added a try in the 73rd minute, completing a dominant performance that highlighted KR’s playoff ambitions. Meanwhile, the Leigh Leopards bolstered their own playoff hopes with a 22‑14 victory over the York Knights. Leigh entered halftime with a narrow 12‑10 lead, thanks to tries from Josh Charnley and Joe Ofahengaue. In the second half, Andy Badrock and David Armstrong extended the margin to 22‑10, though York’s Jon Bennison fought back with a hat‑trick, scoring his third try in the final eight minutes.
Despite the late surge, Leigh held on, moving to 28 points in sixth place, four points clear of St Helens. These results underline the competitive nature of the Super League this season, with Leeds reinforcing their dominance, Hull KR asserting themselves as a force to be reckoned with, and Leigh keeping their playoff aspirations alive. Fans can continue to follow every match live on Sky Sports, with two games per round broadcast exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available via Sky Sports+.