Saturday 26 December 2015 13:59, UK
Wakefield Wildcats began their pre-season with a fine 14-6 victory over treble winners Leeds Rhinos in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge.
A try in each half was enough for Brian Smith's side in a game that was dominated by the conditions, with players from both sides finding it tough to keep hold of the ball.
The game remained scoreless until the 16th minute when the Wildcats grabbed the lead, a break from Liam Finn starting off a move finished by Anthony England under the posts - Finn kicked the conversion to make it 6-0.
Tom Johnstone denied Leeds a try with a foul, earning 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and Rhinos debutant Beau Falloon had a score chalked off for a knock-on, leaving it 6-0 at half-time.
Jordan Tansey kicked a penalty to add two points to their advantage and it was a rare handling error from Danny McGuire that gifted Wakefield their second try.
The veteran stand-off failed to deal with a grubber kick in the in goal area and Scott Anderson pounced on the loose ball to make it 14-0 on 58 minutes, Tansey adding the extras.
Leeds got on to the scoreboard seven minutes later with Carl Ablett taking a Rob Burrow offload over the line for a try, converted by Jordan Lilley, but that was all the Super League regular season, Grand Final and Challenge Cup winners could muster.
The Rhinos are next in action in the United States when they take on the USA Pioneers in Florida on January 17.
