Sinfield's boot breaks Wolves

Rhinos close gap on leaders Saints to two points

Last updated: 4th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sinfield's boot breaks Wolves

Donald: two tries

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Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield kicked a last-minute conversion from wide on the touchline to claim a crucial victory for the Rhinos.

The Wolves led 18-8 in the 50th minute after Louis Anderson touched down, adding to first-half scores from former Leeds full-back Richie Mathers and Vinnie Anderson.

But the Rhinos hit back through Danny McGuire before Lee Smith wriggled his way over in the 65th minute for a try which tied the scores at 18-18.

Warrington edged back in front in the 75th minute through youngster Michael Cooper, but Scott Donald claimed his second try of the match four minutes later and Sinfield kept his cool to add the extras.

Mathers, one of three former Rhinos players in the Warrington starting line-up, opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a well-constructed try which Chris Bridge converted.

Scrum-half Michael Monaghan embarked on a darting run and combined with Ben Westwood to send Mathers scampering under the posts from 30 metres out.

Chris Bridge converted with ease but Mathers' joy was quickly tempered by a dreadful mistake which gifted Leeds wing Ryan Hall the easiest of touchdowns five minutes later.

A teasing grubber kick from Sinfield was badly fumbled by Mathers and Hall grounded the ball for a score which Sinfield could not convert.

Superb

Yet Warrington claimed their second try in the 17th minute when Vinnie Anderson collected a superb pass from Monaghan and burrowed his way over the line.

Bridge again added the extra two points to put his side 12-4 ahead but five minutes later Leeds registered their second score when McGuire's brilliant kick to the corner was touched down by Donald.

Sinfield again failed with the boot from a difficult angle and both sides could have had a third try before the break as Rhinos full-back Brent Webb and Warrington second-rower Ben Harrison had scores ruled out by video referee Ben Thaler.

Warrington lost Brian Carney and Simon Grix to injuries but in the 50th minute they extended their lead in impressive fashion.

A meticulous piece of dummy running by replacement hooker Jon Clarke left a trail of Leeds defenders bewildered before his neat short offload ushered Louis Anderson over the line from close range.

Bridge added his third goal to put Warrington 18-8 ahead, but Leeds hit back on the hour when McGuire finished superbly and Sinfield converted to cut the gap to four points.

Level

Leeds were level five minutes later when Lee Smith forced his way over the line after good work from Carl Ablett, but Sinfield's conversion rebounded off an upright to leave the scores tied at 18-18.

Cooper's powerful try in the 75th minute - which Bridge could not convert - looked to have given Warrington victory, but Sinfield spun out a wide pass for Donald to dive over in the right corner with a minute remaining and the skipper did the rest with the boot.