Quote: tvoc "[sizeWard drops in to spark Leeds[/size
[sizeYEP - 15th June 2001[/size
Under-strength Leeds Rhinos re-wrote the chapter on their best Super League win with an incredible 15-6 triumph at Hull. The Rhinos have played far better over the past five years, but never with so much spirit, determination and defensive steel – and never against such overwhelming odds. Missing seven first-choice players and including six members of last season’s Academy team, the Rhinos travelled more in hope than expectation to their least favourite away ground to take on a near full-strength Hull side. And for the first 40 minutes there was nothing to suggest Leeds would do any better than go down to a creditable defeat. The Rhinos defended bravely against incessant Hull attacks throughout a torrid opening period. But they couldn’t control the ball in a torrential downpour and managed just two raids into the home 20 – and it seemed only a matter of time before the floodgates would open. Had Hull managed to get more than one score in front that would almost certainly have been curtains for Leeds. But crucially they couldn’t find a way through an excellent, never-say-die Rhinos defence and incredibly the visitors began to claw their way back into the contest. The catalyst for the Rhinos’ stunning second-half showing was a real collector’s item, prop Danny Ward’s first drop goal at any level. Reminiscent of his father David at Wembley 23 years ago, 21st birthday boy Ward snapped up a rebound from a Robert Burrow grubber and slotted over a perfect right-footer – to his own obvious surprise. Ward’s one-pointer brought gales of laughter from the Threepenny Stand – but it took the Rhinos to within a converted try of the lead and gave them the self-belief to kick on for an amazing win. The drop goal came just a minute after the break and it was another 20 minutes before the Rhinos managed their first try, Mark Calderwood racing from nowhere to out-jump Chris Smith and collect Kevin Sinfield’s pin-point cross kick. The touchdown was confirmed by video referee Ian McGregor, who had earlier ruled that Steve Prescott had prevented Francis Cummins grounding the ball over the Hull line. Calderwood’s try reduced Hull’s lead to just one point and Iestyn Harris kicked the Rhinos ahead with a wonderful touchline conversion. With four minutes to go the skipper kept his nerve to land a magnificent long-range penalty goal – and the Rhinos sealed their victory in spectacular fashion just two minutes later. There was nothing on when Cummins fielded David Maiden’s kick deep in Leeds territory, but the full-back weaved across the Hull defence, burst through a gap and drew the cover before flipping out a perfect pass to Keith Senior who finished in style. Cummins had earlier made the error which gifted Hull’s only try, spilling Jason Smith’s 17th minute bomb leading to a scrum from which Tony Smith scooted over, Prescott converting. But he more than made up for that with a display of safe handling, defiant tackling and powerful running which enhanced his credentials as Britain’s best full-back. Harris responded to the speculation over his future – and taunts of ‘Iestyn’s going to Cardiff’ from the Hull fans – with a masterful display, capped by his ice-cool goal-kicking. Tonie Carroll caught the eye with some punishing big-hits, Robbie Mears was a tower of strength in the difficult first period and Barrie McDermott contributed two huge spells. But it will be for the performance of Leeds’ youngsters – eight of them aged 21 or under – that this game is best remembered. Two of them, Chev Walker and Sinfield, are both virtual veterans despite their tender years, but the others came of age in the most difficult of circumstances. Burrow had another fine game at scrum-half and prop Ewan Dowes worked his socks off on his full debut. Calderwood’s well-taken try capped probably his best performance at senior level, Matt Diskin underlined his huge potential with a fine defensive effort and Ward was strong on attack and defence on his return from a fractured ankle. Eighteen-year-old substitute Jason Netherton, a Hull fan who lives close to the Boulevard, showed remarkable composure on his first team debut - and he was the victim of Jason Smith’s high tackle which led to Harris’ long-range penalty goal. Like the game at Headingley earlier in the season, when the Rhinos lost narrowly with a similarly make-shift team, the wet conditions worked in Leeds’ favour. They offered absolutely nothing on attack in the first-half and it seemed their non-stop defensive effort must tell as the game went on. But the Rhinos’ resolve never wilted - and in the end Hull were well beaten on a night which rivalled Graham Murray’s 1998 triumphs at Odsal and Central Park for unexpected Leeds success.
HullIan Smith (Oldham)
It's all Ian Smith's fault.'"
Thank tvoc
one of my top 3 away days that
