Leeds Rhinos withstood a ferocious second-half fightback from the Betfred Wheelchair Super League champions Halifax Panthers to claim revenge for last year’s Grand Final defeat in the climax of the latest Magic Round at the Manchester Basketball Centre.
The Rhinos, who came into the game with a 100% record from their five previous fixtures this season, dominated the opening exchanges to take a 24-0 lead with their England trio of Nathan Collins, Josh Butler and Tom Halliwell OBE outstanding.
But the Panthers surged back with two tries from England flier Rob Hawkins and another from Jeremy Bourson, the France international who was a constant threat.
A typical close-range score from Halliwell kept the Rhinos ahead at 28-24, and he then sent Collins over for a try which seemed to have sealed the result.
But even then the Panthers hit back as Bourson sent Tom Martin over, and it was only defensive moments of brilliance from that same England trio of Butler, Collins and Halliwell that allowed Leeds to claim a 34-28 win.
They remain two points clear at the top of the table with London Roosters maintaining the pressure with a 38-30 victory over Wigan Warriors in the day’s opening match – another cracker.
Hull FC continued their impressive season with a 62-24 win over Warrington Wolves in the middle match, lifting them above Wigan and level with Halifax in third.
