KENNY KILLS OFF RHINOS
Edwards condemns Leeds to sixth defeat in a row
KENNY EDWARDS’ secondhalf double heaped more misery on wounded champions Leeds.
The Rhinos, with five teenagers in their side amid their ongoing injury crisis, looked in complete control when they led by 14 points at half-time.
But Kiwi Edwards, who only joined a month ago from Parramatta after a chequered past in the NRL, led a revival to seal what could be a crucial win for the Dragons.
Steve McNamara’s side were all over the place defensively at times in the first half, but recovered superbly in a match rearranged following an early-season postponement for snow.
It’s the Rhinos’ top-four hopes that are now in the cold after an eighth defeat from nine Super League games – and sixth in a row.
Brian McDermott’s side had initially recovered from the shock of a Samisoni Langi try inside the opening two minutes to establish a 24-10 interval lead.
Jack Walker, one of the teenage quintet, provided the initial response, stepping out of several tackles on his way to scoring by the posts.
Moments later referee Scott Mikalauskas twice waved play-on when the ball came loose in tackles before Liam Sutcliffe touched down.
Then another youngster Cameron Smith broke a tackle in midfield and dummied past fullback Tony Gigot for a fine individual effort.
Catalans were struggling to hold the Rhinos’ attack, though they did hit back through scrum-half Josh Drinkwater.
But the visitors fell further behind by the break after Greg Bird was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on teenage giant Mikolaj Oledzki.
With the Dragons still down to 12 men, smart hands finished with Walker sending Luke Briscoe over for a try on his third debut for the club. His loan move from partner club Featherstone had caused controversy in midweek, with the prolific winger able to rejoin Championship Rovers on dual registration in time for their weekend game.
McDermott’s men looked well placed for a much-needed win at that point, but three Dragons tries in the third quarter completely turned the contest.
Drinkwater kicked for Fouad Yaha to out-jump Tom Briscoe and score before Lewis Tierney provided a smart finish in the opposite corner.
Drinkwater found his range to level the scores after Edwards crossed for a fifth Catalans try.
Sutcliffe nudged the home side ahead with a drop goal but Edwards had the decisive say in a desperate finale.