Peter Smith's Leeds Rhinos player ratings after heartbreaking semi-final loss to Warrington Wolves

Rhinos gave as good as they’d got, but were undone by Ewan Irwin’s goal 15 minutes from time in a tense clash with Warrington Wolves, whose 14-12 win was cruel on Leeds. James McDonnell was penalised for an escort and referee Chris Kendall’s on-field call was backed up by video official Liam Rush.

George Williams went down like he’d been shot – receiving 9.5s across the board on the judges’ scorecards – but it wasn’t clear who instigated the contact and it surely wasn’t enough to decide a Betfred Super League semi-final.

Warrington, to be fair, did most of the pressing after that and Leeds didn’t threaten to overturn the deficit. It was dramatic stuff though. Williams could have been sin-binned for a professional foul in the final five minutes, but wasn’t. Adding to the drama, Jake Connor landed a 40-20 which seemed to have given Leeds a last-gasp opportunity. Warrington challenged and were awarded a penalty at the other end.

Then with four seconds left, Leeds received a penalty 60 metres out. It was 10 metres too far, but Connor had no choice but to go for it and his kick fell short. As Warrington celebrated, Rhinos were applauded off the field by the home fans, who provided rousing support. They deserved the ovation and it was a tough way to end a good season.

Leeds put in a valiant effort. Maika Sivo joined Lachie Miller, Ash Handley and Jack Bird on the injury list after the final training season and Chris Hankinson pulled out during the warm-up, so Ned McCormack came in at left-centre. Zak Lloyd remained then 18th man.

McCormack, in his final appearance for Leeds, had an outstanding game and fellow youngsters Fergus McCormack, at full-back and winger Riley Lumb also did well in tough circumstances. Warrington scored after only five minutes when Williams’ kick was taken by Matty Ashton, who beat Ryan Hall to the ball, he fed Toby King and former Rhinos man James Bentley was on hand to take the final pass.

Leeds replied after Lumb was tackled high in front of the posts. They took the tap and a long, cut-out pass from Brodie Croft found Hall who crossed at the corner. Connor landed a touchline goal.

Leeds went ahead with a superb try eight minutes before the interval. Connor’s delicate chip over from inside his own half was picked up by Ned McCormack and he turned the ball inside to Kallum Watkins who suddenly found himself in space with support on either side. He kept his nerve, supplied Connor and the number seven slid over - doing well to keep his arm up - for a score which he also converted.

Rhinos deserved to lead at the interval, but it wasn’t to be. A drop-out, penalty and six-again put Leeds under pressure and Luke Yates went past Cooper Jenkins and between the posts to make Irwin’s second conversion a formality. That made it 12-12 at the break and completed the try scoring.

The penalty count finished six-five to the hosts. Warrington received four set-restart to Rhinos two as, for the second successive season, Leeds’ campaign ended in a two-point home defeat during which a decision by Kendall prived pivotal. As well as Ned McCormack, it proved to be a Rhinos swansong for Harry Newman, Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, McDonnell and Cameron Smith. The future of Hall and prop Matt Lodge, who had a big match, is undecided.

Leeds Rhinos: F McCormack, Hall, N McCormack, Newman, Lumb, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Lodge, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia. Subs Holroyd, C Smith, Jenkins Cassell.

Warrington Wolves: Thewlis, Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton, Williams, Irwin, Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie. Subs Yates, Powell, Philbin, Tanginoa.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield). Attendance: 16,626.