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West Yorkshire derby ends in draw

15 Apr 22, 9:19AM 0 Comments

Written by Daniel Church

Photo by Leeds Rhinos

For those not UK natives, Leeds and Huddersfield have a long-standing football rivalry as well as a rugby one.

So the battle of West Yorkshire is always a fun one to watch.

It was a tight start from both sides, exchanging sets well, Huddersfield veered offside and gave Leeds a penalty, which they opted to kick from 38m out. A strange decision that didn’t pay off, as it went way wide.

McGillvary opened the scoring for Huddersfield after a wide pass into the corner allowed him to get over. Lolohea’s kick went wide from the touchline attempt.

The lead didn’t last long however as Sutcliffe powered through for Leeds, and Martin converted putting the hosts ahead after 14 minutes. The Giants put the ball out on the full off the re-start, the kicking wasn’t great from them today.

Giants broke the line and were destined to score but were pulled back for a forward pass before they put the burners on. A try saving tackle followed by Bentley on Leutele but Giants did get a penalty for offside.

Errors from both sides saw sets not be completed, and penalties were given away, which is a given for a derby match. This was before Martin got over for his first try, he saw the gap and went for it, grounding the ball. He didn’t convert his own kick however as it struck the post.

A change around for Leeds with multiple changes, Dwyer on for Walker who was forced off through injury. Sutcliffe was moved up to full-back, and Leeming dropping into half-back.

Martin made a vital tackle on Jones, and then forced an error, Giants knocked-on after the next pass giving Leeds the ball back.

A break from Tindall took the Rhinos up field, but nothing came of the attack. A high tackle prompted a 40m attempt from Leeds, who this time did convert it, putting them 12-4 up at the break.

Penalties galore for the first 10 minutes of the second half, high tackles, knock-ons and English for Huddersfield forced off through injury, a penalty was given away to Leeds in a kickable area, Martin converted and put the hosts 16-4 ahead with 30 minutes to go.

Nice play from the Giants saw Leutele get over the line, narrowing the Rhinos lead to just 4 after the added extras.

Huddersfield had the confidence with the ball, and attempted a great chip, but a smart diving catch from Gannon wrapped up the attempt.

The young man Gannon forced his way over with defenders trying to take him down, but it was no use he got over, and Martin added the extras. Leeds went 10 points ahead with 15 to play.

Huddersfield threw everything at Leeds for the next 10 minutes, and got over in the 78th, after Yates scored after a deflected pass, Lolohea added the 2, 20-16 was the score with less than 2 minutes on the clock.

Giants had the ball on the halfway line, and in miraculous style, Senior scored in the corner! This sent the game to golden point after the missed conversion. Amazingly three of the last four games between the two sides has been decided by golden point!

Both teams kicking back and forth trying to get into drop goal territory, Fages missed his attempt, Austin then missed his. Golden point half time and still level!

Leeming missed his attempt next and with 27 seconds to go Leeds had a penalty but they were deep in their own half. Austin went for his attempt, going way wide and the hooter sounded!

Shared points! 20-20 What a game.

Full Time

Leeds 20
Huddersfield 20

Leeds: Walker, Handley, Mellor, Briscoe, Tindall, Sutcliffe, Austin, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Bentley, Martin, Smith.

Interchanges: Dwyer, Gannon, Tetevano, Donaldson.

Tries: Sutcliffe, Martin, Gannon
Goals: Martin 4

Huddersfield: Lolohea, Senior, Leutele, Cudjoe, McGillvary, Cogger, Fages, Hill, Levi, Trout, McQueen, Jones, Yates.

Interchanges: English, Greenwood, Wilson, Golding

Tries: McGillvary, Leutele, Yates, Senior
Goals: Lolohea 2

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