Leeds (8) 24 Tries: Hall, Donald 2, McGuire, Smith Goal: Sinfield 2
Warrington (12) 22 Tries: Mathers, V Anderson, L Anderson, Cooper Goals: Bridge 3
 Sinfield proved to be the match-winner for the Rhinos |
Kevin Sinfield's last-gasp touchline conversion after Scott Donald's second try of the game sealed a crucial win for Leeds over Warrington. The Wolves looked like grabbing victory when Mike Cooper's try five minutes from time put them four points up. But the Rhinos were gifted possession back in the final two minutes after an error by Garreth Carvell. And after Donald crossed in the corner, Sinfield, who had missed three earlier efforts, landed the extras for the win. It was a cruel defeat for former Leeds coach Tony Smith on his return to Headingley and the Wolves will be without Brian Carney and Simon Grix for next week's Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan.  | 606: DEBATE |
Carney, who is on a short-term deal at the club, sustained a broken arm and could have played his last game for the Wolves while Grix was forced off with a shoulder injury. Warrington had led 18-8 in the 50th minute thanks to a Louis Anderson try. It added to the first-half scores from former Leeds full-back Richie Mathers and Vinnie Anderson. 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 before the late drama.
Leeds coach Brian McClennan (on Kevin Sinfield): "Kev can kick big goals and they don't get any harder than that on the touchline. "It was tough and I thought we were very tentative and pretty tense in the way we played but in the second half we relaxed and started to grow as the game went on. "Warrington are big and they punched through us a lot but I like the fact we have enough fortitude to come back and win so dramatically. That will bring the crowds back." Warrington coach Tony Smith: "I was really pleased with the effort and there's no problem losing when your team plays pretty close to its best and I thought we did that. "If they get beaten they get beaten, but I feel like a winner, regardless of the two points. "We need to handle defeat with pride and we will."
Leeds: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield. Replacements: Lauitiiti, Burgess, Worrall, Ratu. Warrington: Mathers, Hicks, Bridge, Johnson, Carney, Briers, Grix, Morley, Monaghan, Carvell, L. Anderson, Harrison, Westwood. Replacements: Cooper, Mitchell, Clarke, V. Anderson. Referee: I Smith (Oldham)
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