RHINOS GET BACK WITH DERBY JOY
England’s miserable tour takes another turn for the worse as Curran gets his first Test wicket... and then it’s taken away
LEEDS fielded six of their 2017 Grand Final squad in the champions’ first outing since their Old Trafford success over Castleford on October 7.
But it was the son of a former Premier League striker and a Polish teenager who caught the eye as the Rhinos won this Boxing Day challenge for a first time in three years.
Jack Ormondroyd, son of ex-Bradford, Aston Villa, Derby and Leicester forward Ian Ormondroyd and Gdansk-born prop Mikolaj Oledzki, 19, crossed for second-half tries.
Joe Arundel hit back for Trinity with but Leeds led all game after going ahead through Brad Singleton’s try.
“Mik showed why he is here,” said coach Brian McDermott, who handed a debut to former England star Richie Myler. “It is up to him now if he wants to be pushing regularly for Super League. Jack is getting close and was a stand-out as well.”
Wakefield gave debuts to Aussie forward Pauli Pauli, and ex-Wigan utility Ryan Hampshire but were rocked by a suspected medial knee injury to star hooker Tyler Randall.
“I am gutted for him,” said coach Chris Chester. “But with a bit of luck we might have even grabbed a draw.” SCOTT WHEELDON scored two of six tries as Championship Rovers won the traditional Boxing Day pre-season clash.
Top-flight Cas fielded only four of their Grand Final squad as former Tiger Wheeldon came back to haunt them. Jamie Ellis gave Cas the opening try only for Luke Briscoe to touch down before Wheeldon (above) gave Rovers the lead with his first.
Tuoyo Egodo struck and a second by Ellis saw Tigers lead at the break. But Gareth Gale, Connor Farrell, and a second from Wheeldon put Rovers on top, before Josh Hardcastle went over to seal victory for the visitors.