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A last minute penalty from Bobbie Goulding ensured a share of spoils between Leeds and Wakefield in the Heatshot Festive Challenge.
The Rhinos were skippered by Zak Hardaker, who partners Liam Sutcliffe in an exciting looking half back pairing. New signing Paul Aiton starts at hooker as part of a strong looking Rhinos pack. Overnight frost created a slippery surface and both teams struggled in the early stages to keep hold of the ball for long periods.
The Rhinos went close when Joel Moon was pulled back for a knock on when he was clear to score whilst Liam Sutcliffe produced a clever piece of skill to break the line before finding Aiton, who put Hardaker away only for him to be pulled down 15 metres short.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring. They had a prolonged period on the Leeds line and finally fed the ball wide quickly and winger Peter Fox handed off Ash Handley before touching down. Goulding missed the conversion attempt from out wide.
Wakefield have extended their lead with a dangerous break from deep but Ben Jones-Bishop, who was having a good game at full back, produced a second effort to bring Tom Johnson down and Luke Briscoe was on hand to dive on the loose ball.
Leeds finally hit back with 30 seconds remaining in the half. Jones-Bishop broke out of a tackle 30 metres from his own line and burst up field. He drew the last man before passing inside to Hardaker, who galloped clear to score between the posts. He converted his own try to give his side a 6-4 lead at the break.
The Rhinos almost hit again straight after the re-start when Handley got his hand to grubber kick into the in goal but he was penalised for offside.
However, Wakefield did not heed the warning and the Rhinos did increase their advantage when Thomas Minns bravely dived to touch down Sutcliffe's grubber before sliding towards the advertising boards. Hardaker was on target again and Leeds had an eight point lead.
The Wildcats hit back with 20 minutes to go until the break when Matt Wildie made the most of fortunate bounce when Leeds appeared to have their defence sorted, the half back picking up and go over between the posts. Goulding converted to put the result in the balance again.
Once again, Leeds increased their lead. Following good work by Brett Delaney and Dan Grange to take the ball close to the Wakefield line, Chris Clarkson stepped through the defence and stretched out to score. Hardaker was on target again to make it 18-10.
The Wildcats struck with six minutes to go when Jon Molloy was on hand to barge his way over from close range. Goulding added the conversion and soon had the chance to level the game.
With under a minute to go, Liam Sutcliffe was penalised for a high shot as he desperately defended his line. Richard Mathers quickly signalled to take the two. Goulding did well under pressure to slot the kick over and secure a draw that meant everyone went home happy.
