Class act scores 9/10 in Peter Smith's Leeds Rhinos player ratings from 26-22 win v Warrington Wolves

It looked like being a long afternoon for Rhinos when they trailed 12-0 after 26 minutes and they were fortunate to be only four points adrift at the break, but with the elements in their favour in the second period they were the better team and deserved their 26-22 win.

Winger Maika Sivo scored another genuine hat-trick - grabbing Leeds’ first three tries - to take his tally to 14 in six games. Playing outside Ash Handley helps. The centre was outstanding.

The blustery conditions had a bearing on the game, but Rhinos showed real spirit to rally from a tough situation against an in-form side. The second half performance, with the elements, was much better than the first, especially from the halves who really stepped up.

Warrington received a couple each of set restarts and penalties - the second of which Ewan Irwin took the two from - in the opening nine minutes. The visitors’ first try came after 21 minutes, a superb long-range effort by Josh Thewlis who broke clear past Tom Holroyd and Jack Bird before dummying around Lachie Miller. That came in the set following an error by Jake Connor in a decent attacking position.

Bird did similar soon afterwards and Irwin landed a 40-20 in the resulting set. Quick hands created an overlap on the hosts’ left and Josh Smith had a walk-in from Albert Hopoate’s pass. Irwin added the extras to make it 12-0.

At that stage Leeds were, as the saying goes, lucky to have nil, but they did get on the scoreboard on 31 minutes in the set after a penalty in midfield; Miller and Handley worked the ball to Sivo and the winger stepped inside to break for the try.

A penalty against the same player seemed to have led to a third Wolves touchdown. James Harrison stretched over from George Williams’ pass and referee Jack Smith, who was well-positioned, awarded the score. However, replays showed he had lost the ball against a post in Kallum Watkins’ tackle and video official Liam Moore ruled it out on review.

Rather than being 18-4 down at the break, Rhinos turned around four adrift thanks to Sivo’s second try, on the final play of the half. Miller fed Connor, he found Handley and the centre’s lovely pass was collected by Sivo, though again it was unconverted. Cameron Smith began the attack with an interception near Leeds’ line when Warrington were threatening to score.

Another interception near Leeds’ line, this time by Ryan Hall, led to a third touchdown for the hosts, Sivo completing his hat-trick off another Handley pass after both halves had handled. Connor’s touchline goal edged Leeds in front, but Warrington regained the lead soon after, on 50 minutes, when Toby King crossed from Thewlis’ pass and Irwin added the extras.

Brodie Croft and James McDonnell set up a try for Bird on his home debut to level the scores and Leeds went ahead with 13 left through a terrific finish by Croft, with Miller and Connor involved. Connor converted and landed a penalty on 71 minutes, which meant Leeds had a bit of breathing space when Smith scored his second, which was unconverted, with four left.

The 16 penalties were shared. Warrington had five set-restarts to Leeds’ three in front of an excellent 16,102 crowd.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Sivo, Bird, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Holroyd, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, C Smith. Subs O’Connor, Jenkins, Oledzki. Unused Hankinson,

Warrington Wolves: Josh Thewlis, Ashton, King, Hopoate, J Smith, Williams, Irwin, Yates, Walker, Byrne, Tanginoa, Stone, Currie. Subs Harrison, Crowther, Philbin. Unused Webster.

Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan). Attendance: 16,102.