Leeds reaffirmed why they are the benchmark in the Super League with a nail‑biting 24‑22 victory over Wakefield at the bustling DIY Kitchens Stadium, a win sealed by Chris Hankinson’s successful conversion after a last‑minute try. The match unfolded as a roller‑coaster, featuring a spectacular early onslaught from Wakefield, a resilient comeback from the league leaders, and moments of individual brilliance that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. The first half belonged to Wakefield, largely thanks to the dazzling performance of former Leeds half‑back Jack Sinfield.
The son of Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield, Jack had been released by Leeds at the close of last season, and he made a statement by setting up two of Wakefield’s three first‑half tries within an eight‑minute burst. His incisive passes put the Wildcats ahead 16‑0, and his own try before the break extended the lead to 22‑6, leaving Trinity hopeful that they could at least draw level on points with the league leaders. Leeds, however, refused to surrender. After the interval, they began to tighten their defence and generate momentum.
James McDonnell and Cameron Smith found the try‑line while Sinfield was temporarily off the field, and even after his return the tide was turning in Leeds’ favour. The decisive moment arrived when Jake Connor delivered a low kick that Hankinson collected, diving over to score. His conversion in the 78th minute tipped the scales, giving Leeds a 24‑22 lead with only minutes remaining. The win not only snapped Wakefield’s seven‑match winning streak but also extended Leeds’ lead at the top of the table to four points over their West Yorkshire rivals.
The match also highlighted the tactical adjustments made by both coaches. Early on, Wakefield were forced into three goal‑line drop‑outs after Connor’s 40‑20, while Leeds captain Ash Handley was repeatedly driven into touch by a determined Wakefield defence. Yet Leeds capitalised on the space created when Sinfield’s high kick over the top spun past defender Lachie Miller, allowing Isaiah Vagana to cross first. The second half saw Wakefield attempt to re‑establish dominance.
Powerful prop Caius Faatili entered from the bench and bulldozed through the Leeds line, feeding Caleb Hamlin‑Uele for a try that pushed the Wildcats to a 16‑0 lead after just 29 minutes. Sinfield, however, missed his third conversion, and Leeds began to claw back.
Brodie Croft’s break through a wide gap gave Leeds a foothold before the break, and the half‑time score read 22‑6 in Wakefield’s favour. The third period was a showcase of Leeds’ attacking flair. After the restart, Sinfield collected a pass from Faatili, faked a wide move, and powered through two defenders to score a try that was confirmed by the video referee despite some controversy over grounding.
He added the conversion, narrowing the gap. Soon after, a mis‑step by Wakefield’s Alfie Edgell, who was dragged into touch after grounding, gave Leeds another chance.
Jarrod O’Connor was held up over the line, but James McDonnell seized the opportunity with a well‑timed run, scoring with about thirty minutes left on the clock. Wakefield tried to respond through Cameron Smith, who broke free from his future teammates and exploited a gap for a try, while Jake Connor’s third conversion pulled Leeds within four points.
When Sinfield briefly left the field again, Cameron Scott had a chance to extend Wakefield’s lead, but his foot was forced into touch before he could ground the ball. From that point, Leeds dictated the tempo, pressing hard in the final quarter.
A high ball from Broft appeared to be knocked on, denying Ash Handley a potential try, but Leeds were not to be denied. Hankinson finished the scoring drama with a clever grubber from Connor, diving over to put Leeds ahead for the first time. Connor’s conversion sailed between the posts, cementing a three‑minute lead that would hold until the final whistle. Elsewhere in the league, Hull KR continued their dominant run, delivering an eight‑try demolition of a struggling Castleford side at the OneBore Stadium.
Castleford were missing head coach Ryan Carr, who was absent for personal reasons, and entered the game on the back of five defeats in six matches. The Rovers, chasing a playoff spot, exploded in the second half with six tries, including braces from Tom Davies and Tyrone May. The first try came after Jez Litten capitalised on his own grubber kick, and by half‑time the score stood at 10‑0.
May’s strike in the 45th minute ignited a flurry of scores, with Joe Burgess, Peta Hiku, and a second try from May all contributing to a 44‑0 rout. Rhyse Martin capped the night with a late try, completing a remarkable 14‑point individual haul for the Papua New Guinean forward.
In another noteworthy fixture, the Leigh Leopards bolstered their playoff aspirations with a 22‑14 triumph over York Knights. Leigh entered halftime with a narrow 12‑10 lead, thanks to tries from Josh Charnley and Joe Ofahengaue, while York’s Jon Bennison had already crossed twice. The second half saw Leigh assert control, adding tries from Andy Badrock and David Armstrong to stretch the lead to 22‑10.
York fought back, with Bennison completing a hat‑trick in the closing minutes, but it was insufficient to overturn Leigh’s advantage. The victory lifted Leigh to 28 points, placing them sixth in the table, four points ahead of St Helens. These results underscore the intensity of the Super League’s mid‑season battles, with Leeds solidifying their claim to the top spot, Hull KR delivering a statement win, and Leigh positioning themselves as serious playoff contenders.
Fans can continue to follow every match live on Sky Sports, with two games each round broadcast exclusively, while the remaining fixtures are available on Sky Sports+.