Leeds Rhinos claim crucial win against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Giants

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Richard Agar’s Leeds Rhinos maintained their play-off hopes with a crucial win as they ran out 18-12 winners against Huddersfield Giants.

The win came on a special night for the Rhinos as there was a very emotional return for Leeds legend Rob Burrow who visited Headingley for the first time on a matchday since last January.

He was introduced pre-match and was met with an incredible reception from the Rhinos fans in addition to the travelling Huddersfield fans who also all rose to applaud the Super League legend who has got the full backing of the whole Rugby League family.

The game itself got off to a very slow start, with both sides very cagey in the first 20 minutes, but there was a breakthrough for the hosts as Ash Handley drove over in the corner to open the scoring for Leeds. However, he failed to add the extras with a missed conversion. 

Huddersfield then got themselves back into the game through Will Pryce who is becoming a real starlet in the Giants team. He too also missed a conversion off the back of his own try meaning the scores were tied at 4-4.

Leeds managed to get into the break ahead as Ritchie Myler never gave up on what looked like a dead ball and he stole in and touched down to restore Leeds’ lead at the break. 

The second half was fairly dominant from the hosts as Huddersfield continued to let themselves down with silly mistakes which ultimately cost Ian Watson’s side as they invited pressure on themselves right the way throughout the game. 

A Rob Lui try and two Harry Newman penalties concluded the Rhinos’ scoring and had them leading 18-4 with just over 10 minutes to play. Huddersfield were given a lifeline when Zane Tetevano saw a yellow card for a late hit meaning Leeds were down to 12 for the rest of the game.

The visitors took advantage of the extra man almost immediately as Sam Wood scored a try in the corner and set up a nervy finish at Headingley. 

However, the visitors didn’t manage the comeback despite scoring another try with five seconds left on the clock as Owen Trout won his individual race and touched down, but the Giants couldn’t score from the final set and fell to a 18-12 defeat.

After the final hooter, there was some truly special moments. After a respectable hand-shake between the two sides, the Leeds Rhinos players gathered down below the South Stand to take a picture in front of a giant flag of Rob Burrow. 

As for the result, Leeds have done their play-off hopes no damage at all with a derby victory over the Giants. As for Huddersfield, Ian Watson continues to know that his side is a work in progress and you can see that the potential is there in this you Giants side. 

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