Stephen Topping 1/3/2013

Rugby League

Leeds Rhinos 14-18 Melbourne

Leeds Rhinos fought to the death in a hotly contested World Club Challenge last Friday, but ultimately fell short of overcoming the NRL’s finest team.

Despite having benefitted from the opening three rounds of the Super League season, the Rhinos were sluggish in the opening 10 minutes, when they were put under heavy pressure by a Melbourne outfit still in pre-season training.

Storm were solid in defence – putting powerhouse Carl Ablett into touch in the first minute – and were creating chance after chance thanks to the kicking game of Cooper Cronk. Leeds showed their first signs of life in the 11th minute, when Danny McGuire finally broke through the Melbourne line, only for a forward pass.

Cameron Smith broke the deadlock a minute later, converting a penalty given against the offside Kallum Watkins for a 2-0 lead, but it was Leeds who came closest to scoring the first try of the game when Joel Moon was tackled superbly in the corner by Billy Slater.

Slater then added to Leeds’ woes in the 20th minute, touching down after finding Ryan Hoffman’s neat pass. Smith converted, and the visitors led 8-0. Melbourne thought they had added to their lead through Mahe Fonua five minutes later, but the try was ruled out for a forward pass by Slater.

The Rhinos struggled to find any gaps in the Storm’s defensive line, until in the 29th minute when Ryan Hall scored in the corner. Captain Kevin Sinfield converted, and Leeds were right back in it.

Just two minutes later Watkins broke the Storm’s line again to set up Rob Burrow for a clear chance at a try, but knocked it on. Leeds did level up the match by half time though; Melbourne were caught offside and Sinfield added two points from the resulting penalty.

Leeds began the second half slowly, and it took only four minutes for Melbourne to regain their lead through prop Jesse Bromwich, with Smith converting. The Storm then scored again just three minutes later, when Tohu Harris finished off a slick passing move to give Melbourne a 10 point lead.

Super League’s reigning champions never gave up though, and their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute through Jamie Jones-Buchanan. Sinfield converted (his 39th consecutive successful kick) and Leeds trailed by just four points.

There was no comeback for the Rhinos though, with the last 25 minutes played out in stalemate. Leeds came close in the 61st minute when Sisa Waqa was forced to knock Sinfield’s grubber into touch to prevent a pouncing Ryan Hall from equalising, and Storm had two late disallowed tries.

Leeds battled commendably to the end, showing the same spirit which has won them five of the last six Grand Finals, but they came up short against an impressive Melbourne side, losing 18-14.