Leeds defeat Manly to win World Club title
Leeds Rhinos overcame the Manly Sea Eagles to win the Heinz Big Soup World Club Challenge at Headingley.
The 26 points to 12 victory for the Rhinos will be some revenge for their 2009 loss to the Sea Eagles, the Rhinos going down 28-20 on that occasion.
The Rhinos started the stronger of the two teams right from the first whistle as Kevin Sinfield’s kick-off was knocked on by Manly. Leeds failed to make use of the early possession and when Manly were awarded a penalty Daly Cherry-Evans failed to find touch, handing Leeds the ball once again.
Manly forced goal line drop-out early in the first quarter but didn’t test the Leeds line. Leeds looked to play expansive at every opportunity and the tactic paid off as Kallum Watkins touched down on 18 minutes following a pass from Brent Webb. Kevin Sinfield kicking the conversion.
Manly had a first opportunity to test the Leeds line after 20 minutes opting for a kick to the corner but a knock-on handed possession back to Leeds again.
The Rhinos continued to dominate as the Sea Eagles settled into the game but just at the point where they pressed the Leeds line a Ryan Hall interception resulted in a score for England international Hall. Sinfield again kicking the conversion for the Rhinos to lead 12-0.
A Manly tried to dominate the Rhinos forwards they gave away a penalty and as Leeds failed to find touch Manly forced a goal-line drop-out from the resulting attacking set. Slick play from Manly created a try for Brett Stewart with Jamie Lyon kicking the conversion.
Further Rhinos pressure resulted in a second try for Ryan Hall following a cross field kick to the corner from Kevin Sinfield, with Sinfield missing the conversion.
HT Leeds Rhinos 16 – 6 Manly Sea Eagles
The Rhinos started the second half in similar style as Kylie Leuluai went close to scoring under the posts as the rain began to fall at Headingley.
But it was the visitors who scored first 10 minutes into the second half through scrum-half Cherry-Evans after a strong run from Tony Williams. Lyon’s second conversion pulling them to within four points of Leeds.
As Manly increased pressure on the Leeds line they had a try disallowed for a push on Watkins in the build up play. As tensions began to rise Rob Burrow found Watkins in space who made a break down the wing but play broke down when Watkins passed inside to a Manly player.
Both sides continued to test the opposition and as the game entered the final 20 minutes there was virtually nothing to separate two teams. Brave defending from Leeds held out a wave of attacking play by the Sea Eagles who were finding it increasingly easy to make their way into the Leeds half.
A succession of quick passing from Burrow and Watkins put Ben Jones-Bishop in for a try in the corner on 75 minutes and the Headingley crowd began to celebrate. Sinfield hitting the post with his conversion attempt.
A further try just before full-time for Carl Ablett and a Sinfield conversion added further gloss to the score line.
FT Leeds Rhinos 26 – 12 Manly Sea Eagles
After the match Kevin Sinfield told Sky Sports: ”We knew it was going to be a battle. We’ve had two really tough games in Super League already and those stood us in good stead tonight.
“To be able to pick up a trophy at your own ground in front of twenty-odd thousand is stuff that you dream of.”
