Leeds leave it late

Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield knocked over a last-minute drop goal as Leeds staged a late rally to beat Huddersfield.

Huddersfield have still not won at Headingley since 1959 but looked set to end that streak, leading by six points with five minutes remaining.

But champions Leeds refused to lie down and Danny McGuire touched down in the 77th minute and Sinfield converted before giving the Rhinos victory with a 25-metre drop goal.

Leeds opened the scoring in the 16th minute with Darrell Griffin off the field after being sinbinned for a late challenge on McGuire.

Danny Buderus found McGuire from a play-the-ball and he in turn fed Sinfield, who picked out loose forward Chris Clarkson racing in on his right shoulder.

The 20-year-old's pace and clever footwork were too much for Huddersfield as he burst through for a well-worked try which Sinfield converted with ease.

Griffin returned to the field three minutes later and his side began to probe for openings, with Lee Gilmour wasting a golden opportunity to collect Kevin Brown's pass and touch down in the 22nd minute.

Moments later the Giants did cross. Luke Robinson collected possession at acting half and found Shaun Lunt with a perfect short pass which allowed him to break the Leeds line and outpace Lee Smith to cross in the right corner.

And it was Huddersfield who ended the half the stronger and only some committed defending from Leeds kept the visitors at bay.

Controversial

Huddersfield forged ahead within a minute of the restart with a controversial score.

A grubber kick from Danny Brough looked to have been guided into touch by Smith but Hodgson got a fingertip to the ball and referee Ben Thaler gave the try.

Brough failed to convert from the touchline but four minutes later Hodgson was on the scoresheet again when he collected Brown's fine pass and plunged over in the left corner.

This time Brough did add the extras but Leeds hit back six minutes later when Ryan Hall scooped up possession and burrowed his way over the line for a try which Sinfield converted.

Patrick raced clear for a fine score with Leroy Cudjoe going over to put the visitors 20-14 ahead, but Sinfield converted McGuire's well-taken try and then broke Giants' hearts with the winning strike.