Huddersfield Giants 24 - 24 Leeds Rhinos (Half-time 8-22)
It is a well-worn cliché in footballing circles, but the term 'game of two halves' could equally be applied to last night's game in the Super League. League leaders Leeds dominated the first forty minutes but ended up hanging on for a 24-24 draw with Huddersfield by the end. They almost snatched the victory with a late drop goal, but that would have been harsh on the home side after a superb second-half comeback.
Leeds had seemed to be coasting at the break, with a comfortable 14 point advantage over their West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield.
The Giants had led early on at the John Smith's Stadium through a Joe Wardle try. But a four-try blitz by the Rhinos looked to have already secured their 11th win of the season as the match approached half-time. Brett Delaney, Carl Ablett, Joel Moon and centre Kallum Watkins provided the ammunition for the reigning Challenge Cup winners.
Huddersfield came out strongly after the interval though. Confirming that Rugby league is a sport where the fortunes can quickly turn around within a match, they scored three unanswered tries to take the lead. Michael Lawrence, Jermaine McGillvary and a second try from Wardle established their slender advantage.
Leeds finally got themselves on the score board in the second half late on.
A Liam Sutcliffe penalty sparing the visitors' blushes after relinquishing such a big lead. He nearly grabbed both points for the Rhinos with an attempted drop-goal, but the miss left honours very much even between the near neighbours. The composition of the two scores matched the symmetry of the score line. Four tries apiece and four goals from each side's kicker, as Danny Brough matched Sutcliffe.
With the two sides set to face each other again in the sixth round of the Challenge Cup, this 'appetiser' may well have whet the appetites of the rival fans ahead of that game.
The entertaining draw still leaves the Rhinos in a healthy position at the top of the league, despite no win in two games now. They extended their advantage over second placed St Helens to five points, who will look to reduce the gap when they take on bottom side Wakefield at Langtree Park this evening.
Wigan are currently third and can also edge closer to the summit should they defeat Hull KR at home later today. Warrington and Castleford both have home matches on Sunday and could climb above fourth-placed Huddersfield with victories.
