Leeds demonstrated why they are genuine title contenders in the Super League, pulling off a thrilling 24‑22 comeback win over Wakefield at the bustling DIY Kitchens Stadium. The decisive moment came when Chris Hankinson crossed the line and added the conversion, sealing a victory that highlighted Leeds' resilience and attacking flair. The first half belonged to Wakefield, largely thanks to the impressive performance of former Leeds half‑back Jack Sinfield.
The 21‑year‑old, the son of Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield, proved a thorn in the side of his old club. He set up two of Wakefield’s three first‑half tries within an eight‑minute spell, propelling the hosts to a comfortable 16‑0 lead.
Sinfield’s vision and quick hands created the opportunities, and his own try just before the break pushed the score to 22‑6 in Wakefield’s favour, giving Trinity a chance to draw level on points with Leeds. However, the league leaders switched gears 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 found Hankinson, who surged forward and dived over, while Connor’s fourth successful conversion in the 78th minute put Leeds ahead for the first time in the match. Leeds now sit four points clear of their West Yorkshire rivals at the summit, having snapped Wakefield’s seven‑match winning streak.
The early phases of the game saw Leeds dominate possession, but Wakefield’s aggressive defense forced three goal‑line drop‑outs after Connor’s 40‑20. Sinfield, playing a crucial defensive role, helped drive returning captain Ash Handley into touch, relieving pressure and allowing Wakefield to launch a more incisive attack.
When Wakefield finally broke free, Sinfield’s deft chip over the top bounced past defender Lachie Miller, enabling Isaiah Vagana to touch down and open the scoring. The early exchange set the tone for a match that would swing dramatically between the two sides. Powerful prop Caius Faatili made an immediate impact off the bench, bulldozing through the Leeds line before feeding Caleb Hamlin‑Uele for a try that widened Wakefield’s lead to 16‑0 after just 29 minutes.
Sinfield’s dummy and off‑load later saw Jayden Myers finish in the corner, reinforcing the early dominance. A missed conversion by Sinfield, however, hinted at the mounting pressure. The halftime whistle brought a brief lull, but Wakefield 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 controversial try that the video referee upheld despite doubts about grounding. He also added the conversion, extending the lead. Leeds responded swiftly. Brodie Croft exploited a gap in the defense, sprinting through to give Leeds their first points of the game.
The Tigers kept pushing, and although Jarrod O'Connor was held up over the line and Alfie Edgell’s foot was dragged into touch, James McDonnell finally broke the deadlock with a try in the 60th minute. Wakefield‑bound Cameron Smith then showcased the qualities that will serve his future club well, slipping past teammates to score, while Jake Connor’s third conversion narrowed the margin to four points. After Sinfield returned to the field, Cameron Scott had a chance to extend Wakefield’s lead, but his foot was forced into touch before he could ground the ball, and Leeds seized control.
Leeds’ captain Ash Handley was denied a try after a high ball from Croft resulted in a knock‑on, but the Tigers were not to be denied for long. Hankinson, capitalising on a clever grubber from Connor, dotted down, and Connor’s conversion put Leeds ahead for the first time with just three minutes remaining. The final whistle confirmed a 24‑22 triumph, a testament to Leeds’ never‑say‑die attitude.
In other Super League action, Hull KR inflicted a heavy defeat on Castleford, delivering an eight‑try drubbing that left the Tigers reeling. The Rovers, chasing a playoff spot, ran in six second‑half scores, with Tom Davies and Tyrone May each scoring two tries in a 44‑0 rout. Castleford were without head coach Ryan Carr, who was absent for personal reasons, and entered the match after a disastrous run of five losses in six games.
The first try came after twelve minutes when Jez Litten collected his own grubber and touched down. Davies added another before the break, leaving the score at 10‑0 at halftime. May’s strike in the 45th minute ignited a flurry of four tries in eleven minutes, with Joe Burgess and Peta Hiku also crossing the line, followed by May’s second. Davies completed his brace late on, and Rhyse Martin capped the onslaught with a try in the 73rd minute, completing a dominant performance.
Meanwhile, the Leigh Leopards boosted their playoff ambitions with a 22‑14 victory over the York Knights. Leigh held a narrow 12‑10 lead at the break thanks to tries from Josh Charnley and Joe Ofahengaue, while York’s Jon Bennison had already scored twice. In the second half, Leigh extended their advantage with tries from Andy Badrock and David Armstrong, pushing the score to 22‑10.
York fought back, with Bennison completing a hat‑trick in the final eight minutes, but it was insufficient to overturn Leigh’s lead. The win moved the Leopards to 28 points, securing sixth place and a four‑point cushion over St Helens in seventh. 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 on Sky Sports+.