Leeds demonstrated why they are front‑runners for the Super League crown when a late try from Chris Hankinson sealed a nail‑biting 24‑22 triumph over Wakefield at the jam‑packed DIY Kitchens Stadium. The match unfolded as a roller‑coaster, with Leeds clawing back from a 22‑6 deficit to claim the win in the final minutes. The first half belonged to Wakefield, largely thanks to the dazzling play of former Leeds half‑back Jack Sinfield.
The 21‑year‑old, son of former Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield, made an immediate impact against the side that released him at the end of the previous season. Within the opening eight minutes he supplied the pass for two of Wakefield’s three first‑half tries, propelling the hosts to a 16‑0 lead. Sinfield himself crossed the line after the break, extending the advantage to 22‑6 and giving Trinity a glimmer of hope that they could at least level on points with the league leaders.
Leeds, however, refused to capitulate. The champions raised their intensity in the last thirty minutes, with James McDonnell and Cameron Smith finding the try‑line while Sinfield was temporarily off the field. When the youngster returned, the momentum had already shifted firmly toward Leeds. A low kick from Jake Connor set up Hankinson, who pounced and touched down, while Connor’s fourth conversion in the 78th minute pushed Leeds ahead for the first time in the match.
The final whistle confirmed a 24‑22 victory, widening Leeds’ lead at the top of the table to four points over their West Yorkshire rivals and ending Wakefield’s seven‑game winning streak. The opening exchanges saw Leeds dominate early possession, but Wakefield’s defense was initially cramped, resulting in three goal‑line drop‑outs after Connor’s 40‑20. Sinfield was among three defenders who forced captain Ash Handley into touch, relieving some of the pressure on the home side. When Wakefield finally broke free, Sinfield’s deft chip over the defensive line ricocheted past full‑back Lachie Miller, allowing Isaiah Vagana to touch down for the first points of the game.
The second half began with Wakefield’s prop Caius Faatili making an immediate impact off the bench, bulldozing through Leeds’ defensive line and passing to Caleb Hamlin‑Uele, who scored under the posts. Sinfield’s clever dummy and off‑load enabled Jayden Myers to finish in the corner, cementing a 16‑0 lead after just 29 minutes of play. Leeds finally got on the board when Brodie Croft exploited a gap in Wakefield’s defense to score a try before halftime, despite Sinfield missing his third conversion. The visitors emerged from the break with renewed vigor.
Sinfield collected a pass from Faatili, feigned a move to the wing, then powered through two defenders to score a try that was awarded after a video‑referee review, even though there were doubts about the grounding. He added the conversion, but soon after headed for the tunnel, leaving Leeds to seize the initiative.
Leeds capitalised when Alfie Edgell’s foot was dragged into touch after a grounding, and Jarrod O’Connor was held up over the line. With half an hour remaining, McDonnell crossed for a try, putting Leeds back in contention. Wakefield‑bound Cameron Smith showcased the qualities that will benefit Hull KR next season, slipping past his future teammates to score, while Jake Connor’s third conversion narrowed the gap to four points.
Sinfield returned to the field, but Cameron Scott’s chance to extend Wakefield’s lead was thwarted when his foot was forced into touch before he could ground the ball. From that point on, Leeds dominated the final quarter. A high ball from Broft resulted in a knock‑on that denied Ash Handley a try, but Leeds persisted.
Hankinson finished a clever grubber from Connor, and Connor’s conversion sailed between the posts, giving Leeds a three‑point lead with just three minutes left – a lead they would hold onto until the final whistle. 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 were without head coach Ryan Carr, who was absent for "personal reasons," and entered the match on the back of five defeats in six games. The Rovers, chasing a playoff spot, exploded in the second half with six tries, including braces from Tom Davies and Tyrone May. Jez Litten opened the scoring after 12 minutes by collecting his own grubber kick, and Davies added a second before halftime, leaving Castleford trailing 10‑0 at the break.
May’s try in the 45th minute ignited a flurry of points: he and Davies each crossed twice, while Joe Burgess, Peta Hiku and Rhyse Martin added further scores. Martin’s try in the 73rd minute capped a 14‑point individual haul for the Papua New Guinea forward, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the victory. Meanwhile, the Leigh Leopards bolstered their playoff aspirations with a 22‑14 win 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. In the second half, Leigh re‑asserted control: Andy Badrock and David Armstrong each scored, extending the lead to 22‑10.
York fought back, with Bennison completing a hat‑trick eight minutes from the end, but it was insufficient to overturn Leigh’s advantage. The Leopards now sit on 28 points in sixth place, four points clear of St Helens in seventh, keeping their postseason hopes alive. These results highlight the shifting dynamics of the Super League as the season progresses. Leeds’ resilience after a substantial early deficit reinforces their status as title favourites, while Hull KR’s dominant display against Castleford signals a potential surge into the playoff picture.
Leigh’s steady climb further intensifies the battle for the coveted top‑eight positions. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two games each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available via Sky Sports+.