Round 12
Warrington Wolves 44 d. Leeds Rhinos 16

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Wolves savage Rhinos
Wed May 3, 2006
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

Leeds travelled across to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday for the first meeting between the sides since the last visit at the end of last season when an Andrew Johns inspired Wolves side recorded their first win over Leeds in ten attempts.

The Rhinos got off to the best possible start when Lee Smith finished off a great move across the field, Senior's pass releasing him and he powered his way over in the corner. Rob Burrow added the conversion to make it 6-0 after four minutes.

However, the home side came firing back at Leeds and produced a sensational spell of play to retake the lead. The Rhinos were forced into 20 minutes of almost constant defending and the Wolves grabbed four tries to take a commanding lead. Henry Fa'afili was first to cross then Paul Rauhihi brushed off a poor attempted tackle by Ryan Bailey to give the Wolves the lead for the first time after 20 minutes.

Hooker Jon Clarke then took advantage of some more poor defending, this time by Gareth Ellis, to force his way over. Briers converted two of the three tries to make it 16-6 after 27 minutes and it got worse for the Rhinos with six minutes remaining in the half.

Warrington produced a fantastic move with at least ten offloads in the build up and finally the ball was fed wide for Richie Barnett who had a simple job of running in for the try outwide. Briers added a touchline conversion to make it 22-6.

A nightmare first half was completed in the last second when Rob Parker took advantage a big gap that opened up in the middle of the Rhinos defence to power over. Briers added the conversion to make it 28-6 at half time.

Warrington continued their dominance of possession at the start of the second half but it was the Rhinos who scored first. Rob Burrow broke through the tackle of Mark Gleeson on half way and the Leeds scrum half sprinted up the touchline to score in the corner. He was unable to convert his own try but the Rhinos had given themselves a lifeline at 26-10 after 50 minutes.

The Rhinos were their own worst enemy at times with handling errors stopping them gaining any momentum to build on Burrow's score. Then Ali Lauitiiti was penalised for a high shot and two tackles later Rob Parker powered through for his second try. Briers added the conversion to make it 34-10 after 63 minutes.

Warrington wrapped up the game with ten minutes remaining when Martin Gleeson created the opportunity before the ball was fed to Henry Fa'afili who scored in the corner to make it 38-10 to the home side.

The Rhinos did not throw in the towel and Danny McGuire crossed for his 16th try of the season as he took a short ball close the line then stretched for the line. Lee Smith added the conversion to make it 38-16 with eight minutes remaining.

There was still time for Henry Fa'afili to complete his hat trick when McGuire's long pass was intercepted 40 metres out and the giant Kiwi went through untouched to score under the posts. Briers added the conversion to make the final score 44-16.

Report source: www.leedsrugby.com

+ Bad Day at the office - Smith

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