Warrington edged out Leeds in a thrilling Super League encounter, marking the 5,000th match in the competition’s history. In a contest that encapsulated the drama and intensity of the sport, the hosts secured a narrow 16-14 victory after overcoming an eight-point deficit in the second half.
As the Super League season unfolds, questions remain about whether Warrington can end their long wait for a league title or if Leeds can add to their impressive collection of Grand Final victories. However, both sides showcased their credentials in this fiercely contested clash, suggesting they will be key contenders when the race for Old Trafford reaches its climax later in the year.
The game’s defining moment arrived five minutes from full-time when Leeds’ Keenan Palasia was sent to the sin-bin for making contact with Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s head. Leeds had held a two-point lead for over 50 minutes, having responded to Arron Lindop’s early try with scores from James McDonnell and Riley Lumb. However, Palasia’s departure left them a man down, and within seconds, Warrington took advantage of the extra space, with Jake Thewlis crossing for the decisive try.
Despite some nervy moments in the dying stages, Warrington held firm to claim their second consecutive league win. The victory marked a promising turnaround for the team after a slow start to the season under head coach Sam Burgess, who had to make significant changes to his squad due to injuries.
“I’m really proud of them,” Burgess said after the match. “It was a really tough game. It slowed down a bit in the second half, but we’ve got a lot of spirit. We had a challenging start to the year, but we’ve really bounced back.”
Leeds head coach Brad Arthur expressed frustration over the sin-binning, believing it had a major impact on the game’s outcome. “I’ve seen plenty of those already in five or six rounds this year,” he remarked. “Maybe as a coach, I need to complain more and whinge about the referee.”
Despite the result, Arthur was encouraged by his team’s performance, describing them as “heroic.” Leeds had led for much of the game, with Jake Connor playing a pivotal role. He produced two outstanding assists first a well-timed pass to send McDonnell through a gap and then a superb cut-out pass to set up Lumb’s try.
Leeds went into the break with a 10-6 advantage, which was extended when Lachie Miller set up Ryan Hall, the Super League’s all-time leading try-scorer. However, Connor’s struggles from the tee, converting only one of three attempts, left the door open for a Warrington comeback.
That proved crucial as George Williams’ clever play created a try for Stefan Ratchford, which was converted by Marc Sneyd to bring the score within two points. Then came the late drama, with Palasia’s yellow card and Thewlis’ match-winning try ensuring Warrington emerged victorious.
While Warrington celebrated the result, Leeds could take plenty of positives from their display. Both teams showed resilience and quality, offering a glimpse of what could be in store later in the season.
