Round 7
Leeds Rhinos 28 d. Harlequins 16

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Round 7 Super League Summary
Wed March 28, 2007
Round 7 of the engage Super League provided us with plenty more of the unpredictable, thrills and skills that we've come to expect from this season.

There were three games played on Friday evening, the first of which saw Wigan travelling to the KC stadium to take on Hull FC. Hull's miserable season had improved dramatically after a hugely impressive performance last week against St Helens, to claim their first win of the season. It was Wigan, however, who came away with the two points after putting in an equally impressive performance to claim a 20-30 victory. Trent Barrett scored two tries for the Warriors, who moved into the play off positions for the first time this year. Wigan boss, Brian Noble, believes that Barrett is, "Going to be big for us" whilst Hull 's Peter Sharp described his teams performance as, "A pile of rubbish to tell you the truth".

St Helens got their season back on track after a routine victory against the other side of Hull at Knowsley Road. Saints' Captain Paul Sculthorpe scored a try and kicked four goals in his side's 42-14 win. He claimed the Man of the Match award as he continues his recovery from a persistent knee injury. Hull KR were without influential captain James Webster for the clash and coach Justin Morgan, was satisfied with his team's performance saying, "I'm proud of their effort and our attitude was good."

Friday night's other game saw Leeds run out 28-16 victors against Harlequins at Headingly. Harlequin's will think of themselves as unlucky after two of Leeds' tries came from deflections and another from a blatant forward pass. Tony Smith, who signed up to become the new, full time Great Britain coach on Monday, hailed new signing Brent Webb's impact on the game after he scoring two tries.

There were no games on Saturday, due to football and cricket, so Sunday saw three games. League leaders Bradford, were at home to the Catalan Dragons, however they found themselves on the wrong end of a 22-29 defeat. The Dragons came out all guns blazing to establish a 0-10 lead through tries from Casey McGuire and Stacy Jones. The Bulls came back into it, however the Dragon's defence laid the platform for them to claim only their third ever away victory. Catalan's coach Mick Potter said, " I'm very happy" about the result whilst Bradford Coach, Steve McNamara said that his team were, "poor and thoroughly disappointed with our performance."

Huddersfield again failed to claim a point from their home game against struggling Salford as they slumped to a 16-18 defeat. The Giant's seventh straight loss leaves them 5 points adrift, despite only having a 30 point negative point's difference. Luke Robinson scored a brace of tries to help Salford to their only their second victory of the season.

Wakefield coach, John Kear, described his team's 30-24 victory over Warrington as a, "Great advert for Rugby League". Kear was delighted with his team's guts after they recovered from falling 16-24 behind in a thrilling game at Belle Vue. The victory lifts Wakefield into second place on the table and reinforces their status as this years surprise package. Warrington coach, Paul Cullen blamed his side's composure for the loss saying, "there was enough effort and enough skill, but not enough composure."

The Super League takes a break next week to make room for the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.


Webb and McGuire combine to see off Quins
Sat March 24, 2007
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

Thanks to two tries each for Brent Webb and Danny McGuire the Rhinos ran out 28-16 winners over Quins at Headingley Carnegie.

Quins arrived at Headingley Carnegie on the back of three straight defeats however Brian McDermott was looking for a turn in fortunes on his return to his former club.

The Rhinos started the brightest of the two teams and attacked from the off with Scott Donald latching onto a ball from Keith Senior to race down the touchline but was unlucky to have been adjudged to put a foot in touch.

However, the Rhinos did take the lead after 7 minutes and it was a gift from Quins Chris Melling as he lost control of the ball when Clinton Toopi hit him in the tackle. Danny McGuire snatched up the loose ball and had a stroll in for his third try of the season. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 6-0.

Leeds doubled their lead two minutes later and it included some great reactions for the Leeds backline. McGuire had his kicked ahead blocked by Lee Hopkins but Ellis kept his eye on the ball, collected the rebound on the full then raced down field. He fed Diskin, who found the supporting run of Webb and the New Zealand test star stepped round the full back to score. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 12-0.

The visitors hit back after 23 minutes following their first real spell of pressure. Having gained territory deep in the Leeds half through a penalty they moved the ball wide through Mark McLinden. Then play was switched back to the opposite side and Melling was on hand to make amends for his earlier mistake. Henry Paul's conversion attempt struck the post and bounced away to leave the score 12-4.

Leeds needed to respond and they did in style with Webb bringing the crowd to their feet with a great break from deep then Burrow ducked and weaved his way to the line but was just tackled short. However, Leeds kept possession and eventually McGuire stepped his way through the defence to score. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 18-4 after 31 minutes.

In the last minute of the half the Rhinos extended their lead with a penalty from Sinfield after Rinaldi was penalised for ball stealing 15 metres from his own line making it 20-4 at the interval.

Having suffered two poor second halves in recent weeks the Rhinos were conscious of handing any sort of advantage to Quins at the re-start. They nearly did when Ali Lauitiiti knocked on 20 metres from his line but good defence saw the ball safe and in the next set the Rhinos increased their lead.

Webb released Gibson down the touchline before the young winger repaid the favour by chipping the ball back in field with the outside of his boot but Webb to collect and go round and score by the post. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 26-4 after 43 minutes.

Quins did managed to get a try back after 52 minutes, when they moved the ball quickly with some clever offloading and were able to create an overlap down their right side and Matt Gafa finished off the move. Henry Paul added the touchline conversion to make it 24-10.

The Rhinos then had to produce two great pieces of defence to deny the visitors. After 59 minutes Donald produced a great cover tackle to stop a certain try by Andy Smith under the shadow of the posts before Webb showed great skill to stand up and make Danny Orr check his run and pass to Mark McLinden and allow the cover to come back and snuff out the danger.

However, the best was yet to come. Paul Sykes looked a certain try scorer as he sprinted for the line however Webb came flying across and put at his hand to grab the ball out of Sykes grasp, falling on the loose ball. Quins gained the head and feed but the chance had gone and the Rhinos again saw off the danger.

In the next set Leeds went down field and were awarded a penalty 18 metres out for a high shot by McCarthy-Scaysbrook on Ellis. Sinfield dabbed over the penalty to make it 28-10.

With four minutes remaining the visitors scored a consolation try when Gafa knocked down a cross field kick into the arms of Paul Sykes to score. Purdham kicked the conversion to make it 28-16 and that was how it finished.

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Gibson, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock, Diskin, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield
Subs: Kirke, Thackray, Tansey, Lauitiiti

Quins: Melling, A Smith, Sykes, T Smith, Gafa, Orr, McLinden, Grayshon, Randall, Heckenberg, Purdham, Hopkins, Paul
Subs: Rinaldi, Mills, McCarthy-Scaysbrook, Temata

Ref: Ben Thaler
Attendance: 15,123

Report source: www.leedsrugby.com

Article: Smith pleased by ruthless Rhinos

Fri March 23, 2007
• Headingley Insight: Leeds v Harlequins
  

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