Burrow-inspired Rhinos beat Huddersfield

Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow made an emotional return to Headingley as his former club won 18-12 against Huddersfield on Thursday night.

The Rhinos led 10-4 at half time and held on despite two late tries from the visitors.

Burrow was making his first appearance at a Rhinos game since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and received a rapturous reception from all four sides of the ground.

And Leeds would go on to make a strong start as Ash Handley scored after 17 minutes.

Emerging star Will Pryce struck back with an unconverted try for Huddersfield with 25 minutes played, but in-form Richie Myler then added to the home side's advantage on 36 minutes.

Handley kicked the conversion - his first-ever goal as Leeds adapted to the absence of regular goalkickers Rhyse Martin, through suspension, and Luke Gale, through injury - and the Rhinos were 10-4 up at the interval.

Two penalty goals from the boot of Harry Newman extended the home side's lead before the hour mark before Robert Lui went in with 19 minutes left to play, putting Leeds 18-4 up going into the final quarter.

Though Sam Wood and ex-Rhino Owen Trout bagged a four-pointer each for the Giants in the dying minutes, it wasn't enough as the Burrow-inspired Rhinos held on for a win which helps strengthen their grip on a play-off place.