Saturday, 2 August 2008

Leeds Lose Again at Warrington 22 - 12

Warrington took their time to get going before sweeping aside a strangely out-of-sorts Leeds side.
Despite both sides regularly getting within scoring range, the only first half tries came from Leeds' Kylie Leuluai and Matt King for Warrington.
After the break Adrian Morley set up a try for Jon Clarke before two by Chris Hicks stretched the Wolves' advantage.
Lee Mitchell's stunning 70-yard dash was the try of the night but Leuluai ensured Leeds claimed the last score.
Warrington were quickest out of the blocks and looked full of purpose, but for all their enthusiasm they never put the Leeds goal line under serious pressure.
It was a Leeds counter-attack which provided the most significant first-half incident for Warrington, as Louis Anderson suffered what looked like a fractured forearm as he attempted to tackle Gareth Ellis.
The Rhinos then enjoyed a period of having the upper hand but just like Warrington earlier on, struggled to turn their advantage into points on the board.
Keith Senior claimed a score as he was hauled down by Lee Briers hauled down in the left-hand corner but the video replay revealed he had made a double movement and the try was not given.
Kevin Penny wasted a glorious chance when he knocked on with the line at his mercy, following King's good aerial tap-back, and minutes later Warrington were made to pay when Leuluai went over for Leeds.
Rob Burrow made the initial break, with Matt Diskin providing the vital off-load for Leuluai to stretch over and score.
Morley was involved in the build-up to Warrington's opening try just before half-time, which was rounded off when King went over in the left-hand corner, and early after the restart he was again the creator as he punched through the Leeds defence to set up Clark's try.
Hicks made it three when he touched down in the left-hand corner, and then crossed to the right for a thrilling fourth, which rounded off a Penny-inspired counter-attack, with Lee Briers and Martin Gleeson providing the vital passes.
Mitchell needed no help from anyone as he ran in Warrington's fifth try, a superb solo effort from deep within his own half.
Leuluai's late try ensured Leeds had the final say but a serious comeback was never really on the cards.
If Saints win at Wakefield to-morrow they will go two points clear at the top for the first time this season.

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