In a controversial affair, especially for James Bentley, Leeds Rhinos claimed an 18-10 win over the Catalans Dragons.
After a period of sustained pressure from Catalans, the Rhinos scored the first points of the game through Ash Handley. It was back to back tries then for Leeds as Harry Newman powered over after a lovely break down the middle of the field.
Leeds led 10-2 at the break but allowed Catalans to clow back so that it was 10-10. Then a break down field led to Cameron Smith feeding the ball over the top to Ash Handley for his fifth try of the season to make it 16-10. Rhyse Martin would later add a penalty to secure the win after a fourth yellow card in the game.
There were some who felt that Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley should have carded too but he escaped punishment for an incident with Tariq Sims.
Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley called a liability
Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR – Headingley Stadium, Leeds, England – Leeds’s James Bentley dejected after his side loses to Hull KR in Golden Point.
This was one of a number of incidents Bentley was involved in during the game many of which were positive from the Rhinos but some were somewhat controversial
This led to the suggestion that he could be a liability and Sky Sports pundit Jodie Cunningham said: “He can be.”
But she added: “Look, he’s a competitor. Somebody who plays it right up to the line, sometimes the wrong side of the line. You need an enforcer in a team, he is an enforcer. If there’s some trouble on the field, he’s probably in the middle of it.
“But overall, I think he does add a lot to this Leeds side.”
Sam Tomkins was not so forgiving: “I think for every good thing he does, he something stupid. I think that’s his issue. He’s not got consistency. It’s not what he does when he’s got the ball in hand. It’s just that he has these brain explosions regularly.
“He’s a decent player. He’s not outstanding or a real top end player, but he comes up with too many daft things.”
