This 80-minute performance was a microcosm of Kevin Sinfield’s brief reign and a sign of the size of the task that he and the incoming coach, David Furner, have in rebuilding Leeds next year. There was enough in patches to get the job done and only a heavy defeat at home to Toronto on Friday raises a fraction of doubt that Leeds could be dragged into the Million Pound Game.
It has been a season nobody associated with Leeds, the reigning Super League champions, could have expected or wished to endure but mercifully, the finish line is now almost in sight.
While Halifax more than played their part in a compelling first half that ended 6-6, the weaknesses of this Leeds side were also exposed. “There’s lots going on behind the scenes that nobody will see,” Sinfield said. “But the off-season gives us a chance to press the button on some of those things and allows us to move forward.”
Halifax, the Qualifiers’ only part-time side, played their part here – as they have done all summer. The first meeting of these West Yorkshire clubs for 15 years was anyone’s contest at the break with Richie Myler’s early try for Leeds cancelled out by Steve Tyrer’s effort five minutes before half-time.
Had the ball bounced the other way in a couple of key moments thereafter, this could have been an even tougher afternoon for Leeds. But when Brad Dwyer scored twice in the space of six minutes it took the game away from the hosts who, under the new league structure in 2019, have a far better – and realistic – chance of promotion.
“Leeds were nervous at half-time but a couple of class individuals took the game away from us,” their coach, Richard Marshall, said.
Dwyer was one of those, with his quick-fire double making it 18-6 before Liam Sutcliffe scored five minutes later. From there Halifax understandably began to tire and Leeds took full advantage with tries by Cameron Smith and Luke Briscoe settling any Rhinos nerves once and for all.
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