Leeds stage late comeback to edge Wakefield in Super League thriller

Leeds Rhinos claimed a dramatic 24-22 victory over Wakefield Trinity in front of a sell-out crowd at DIY Kitchens Stadium, in a match between Super League's top two sides that went down to the final minutes.

Wakefield built an early 16-0 lead in the first half thanks to three tries and accurate goal-kicking from Jack Sinfield. The hosts extended their advantage further at the start of the second half.

Leeds fought back through the second half, showing resilience as they closed the gap. Contributions from several players, including bench forward Cam Smith — who will join Wakefield next season — helped narrow the deficit to just four points.

With three minutes remaining, Wakefield still held the lead, but a grubber-kick from Jake Connor was collected by Chris Hankinson to level the scores. Connor then calmly slotted the conversion from a tight angle near the touchline, sealing victory for Leeds in the closing moments.

The win marks a significant step for Leeds towards securing a top-two finish this season. With five regular-season games remaining, the Rhinos sit four points clear at the top of the table and hold a substantial points-difference advantage over both Wakefield and third-placed Wigan Warriors.

Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell expressed disappointment, saying his side made too many errors and gave away penalties in the second half after a strong opening. Leeds coach Brad Arthur said the match tested his team's character and composure, praising the performance of his younger players under pressure.