Wakefield (16) 30 Tries: Blaymire, Obst, Grix, Atkins Goals: Brough 7 Leeds (10) 32 Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Senior, Burrow 2, Lauitiiti, Donald Goals: Sinfield 3, Smith
 Burrow's second try helped drag Leeds back into the game |
Scott Donald's last-minute try broke Wakefield's hearts as the Rhinos claimed a dramatic win at Belle Vue. The champions looked down and out when the Wildcats took a 30-16 lead midway through the second half with Danny Brough's kicking proving crucial. Ali Lauitiiti's try helped cut the gap but a 70th-minute yellow card for Brent Webb seemed to have ended Leeds' hopes. The champions refused to give up and Rob Burrow cut the gap to two points before Donald's remarkable late score. The Wildcats looked set to secure their first-ever home Super League win over their West Yorkshire rivals after an inspired performance and going into the final moments they still held a 30-28 advantage. But Leeds' never-say-die attitude proved to be just enough to get them out of trouble and keep them level with league leaders St Helens on 30 points. The Wildcats fell behind after six minutes when Danny McGuire, back after injury, created space to find Carl Ablett on the right wing and he passed inside to Jamie Jones-Buchanan to race clear and score. Kevin Sinfield added the extras but in the 21st minute, Wakefield drew level when Matt Blaymire grounded a kick from Sam Obst.  | 606: DEBATE |
Brough kicked the conversion to make it 6-6 before adding two penalties as a fired-up Wakefield tore into Leeds. Leeds hit back on the half-hour when Keith Senior used his strength to cross but Sinfield failed to convert and Wakefield went ahead again shortly before half-time when Obst scampered through a gap to touch down. Burrow dived over in the corner just after the break to get Leeds right back into the game and Sinfield added the conversion but Wakefield edged 18-16 in front minutes thanks to a Brough penalty. Brough's high kicks then set up scores for both Scott Grix and Ryan Atkins and a famous win looked on the cards after he converted both scores. But Leeds hit back in the 65th minute when Lauitiiti waltzed through for a fine score and Sinfield added the extras. The Rhinos were dealt a blow four minutes later when Webb was shown a yellow card for holding down, and Wakefield turned down several potential shots at goal in search of a try to put the result beyond doubt. Leeds took full advantage of the reprieve as tries from Burrow, converted by Lee Smith, and Donald - in the last play of the match - sealed the win.
Wakefield coach John Kear: "We gave ourselves a great opportunity and were eight points up with three minutes left. "We shouldn't have come out of the wrong scoreline but we did and we must give credit to Leeds. "We all feel as though we should have won but it's how we respond now." Leeds coach Brian McClennan: "I wasn't nervous but it was a great comeback and it gives us something to feel proud of. "I never felt the game was over and all credit to the guys for keeping going right to the end. "We feel for Wakefield, of course, and it's a horrible place for them to be right now.
Wakefield: Blaymire, Grix, Gleeson, Atkins, Peterson, Demetriou, Brough, Bibey, Obst, Korkidas, Snitch, Wilkes, Leo-Latu. Replacements: Stosic, Moore, Ferguson, Drew. Leeds: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Ablett, Sinfield. Replacements: Diskin, Worrall, Peacock, Burgess.
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