PURE GOLD MARTIN IS LATE HERO
Leeds star’s penalty pinches extra-time win
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RHYSE MARTIN held his nerve with a golden-point penalty to give outof-form Leeds a much-needed win.
Martin slotted the straight-forward kick when Jay Pitts was penalised for a ball steal after the match was level on 80 minutes.
It ended a run of five straight defeats for the Rhinos but was cruel on both Pitts and gusty Wakefield.
Trinity, who remain winless this year, had seen their own injury-hit side depleted further with first-half injuries to Jordan Crowther and David Fifita.
But despite a lack of possession and field position they managed to stay in an often scrappy contest right until Martin’s winner. The Rhinos dominated the opening quarter without securing any reward on the scoreboard.
Time after time Agar’s side laid siege to the Wakefield line but couldn’t find a way through. Trinity soaked up the pressure and then hit the home side with two tries in the space of four minutes.
Winger Liam Kay scored the first, finishing out wide after smooth link-up play between half-backs Mason Lino and Max Jowitt.
Lino touched down shortly after, reacting the quickest when Ash Handley fumbled a hopeful Reece Lyne kick.
Leeds eventually made their pressure tell when Martin crashed over from close range after Matt Prior had stolen the ball one-on-one from Kelepi Tanginoa.
But the Rhinos prop was then penalised for an illegal strip on Joe Westerman and Lino’s penalty edged Wakefield 10-6 ahead at the break.
The second half started in the same manner as the first with Leeds on the front foot – but Jack Broadbent had a try ruled out for obstruction.
This time though the Rhinos did strike first. Alex Mellor’s offload released Jarrod O’Connor in midfield and the returning Konrad Hurrell (above) finished a smart move in the corner.
Martin’s conversion from out wide put Leeds in front for the first time.
Luke Briscoe looked certain to make it a two-score lead but lost the ball in the act of touching down, while at the other end Tinirau Arona just couldn’t collect with the line open.
Briscoe was then penalised for a dangerous tackle and Lino levelled the scores. Lino and Gale then traded drop goals in the closing stages to set up the golden-point drama.