After defeat against Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos got back on track against Catalans Dragons to join a cluster of clubs on four points and two wins from the opening three games in the Betfred Super League.
The Rhinos, for the second season in a row, ended the Dragons’ 100% start to the season. The Rhinos were forced to absorb pressure for the first half an hour.
They had to defend their line routinely for that period having started the game with a knock on from Lachie Miller. Cameron Smith and Brodie Croft came up with big hits and Leeds would still be level at 0-0 until they had their first attacking set near the half hour mark.
Then Leeds struck first with Brodie Croft kicking behind for Ash Handley to score his fourth try of the season.
It was back to back tries for the Rhinos as Harry Newman scored for the second week in a row. They would take a 10-2 lead into the break before Chris Satae and another penalty for the Dragons would pull the French side level.
The Rhinos though would retake the lead with Handley scoring after a lovely break and a brilliant Cameron Smith pass.
Rhyse Martin added a penalty to secure the win.
Jon Wilkin speaks out on Leeds Rhinos incident
Leeds had a number of big performers during the game including James Bentley. He was involved in a number of flashpoints and Sam Tomkins was critical of him saying he’s “not a real top player” on Sky Sports.
However, speaking on his controversial incident with Tariq Sims which Tomkins felt should have yielded a card, Jon Wilkin had a different take of the former St Helens man.
He said: “James Bentley is a West Yorkshire warrior, he’s always involved. He’s always in the mix I’ll tell you. Tariq Sims on the floor, he cops an elbow from James Bentley and Arthur Romano isn’t having it.
“James Bentley will feel that Tariq Sims has hit him high and there is an argument. It is obviously accidental from Tariq Sims.”
He would add on Chris Kendall’s decision to not card Bentley: “Chris Kendall, that is how to you referee a situation 101. There is accidental contact, Bentley retaliates, and it is an aggressive sport, he has managed that really well.”
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