SUPER BRAD KEEPS LEEDS ALIVE
Dwyer provides a safety net for Kev
KEVIN SINFIELD saluted “dynamite” Brad Dwyer as champions Leeds edged closer to retaining their Super League status.
Dwyer touched down twice in seven minutes as the Rhinos ran in 28 unanswered second-half points.
Leeds head the qualifying table going into the final round of fixtures.
But the Headingley outfit could still finish up in the Million Pound Game if results don’t go their way.
However, director of rugby Sinfield was a relieved man after Leeds became the only top-flight club to avoid defeat over the weekend against Championship opposition.
He said: “Brad came on and really sparked us. He was dynamite around that dummy-half position.
“He came on and asked questions of an ever-tiring Halifax defence. They use the term quite a bit in rugby union about finishers. I know Eddie Jones uses it.
Control
“But Brad came on and finished the game for us. Credit to Halifax, they threw a lot of things at us.
“We were in control after 15 minutes but invited Halifax in and they started to play some decent rugby. Thankfully the second half was better.”
The sides were deadlocked at halftime as Ste Tyrer’s try and conversion cancelled out an early opener by half-back Richie Myler.
Within two minutes of the restart Dwyer grabbed his first close-range try before adding a second soon after.
Halifax’s resistance was all but broken and Liam Sutcliffe, Cameron Smith and Luke Briscoe crossed the line. Sutcliffe booted five goals from six attempts to finish with 14 points.
Halifax boss Richard Marshall said: “If the game was 40 minutes, I would be a pleased coach. We went toe-to-toe with Leeds in the first half.
“In the second half Leeds were class and raised the tempo of the game.
“Brad Dwyer had an influence on their speed and direction. We played against him at Featherstone this season and we knew about his capabilities.
“But knowing about him and dealing with him are two different things.”