Wheelchair Grand Final disappointment for Leeds Rhinos as Halifax Panthers complete double treble
Leeds Rhinos suffered big game disappointment for the second time this season when they were beaten 64-24 by Halifax Panthers in today’s (Sunday) Wheelchair Super League Grand Final in Manchester.
Rhinos were much more competitive than in their 92-24 Betfred Challenge Cup Final defeat by the same opponents two months ago, but - other than at the start of both halves - Halifax were too good. That was despite a valiant effort by Rhinos’ Nathan Collins, who scored two tries and four goals.
Leeds led 8-0 early on through a try, conversion and penalty from Collins, but Halifax rode out the storm and three tries in six minutes at the end of the first quarter established a 10-point gap. Rob Hawkins opened the scoring and Jack Brown crossed for back to back touchdowns, all three being converted by Wayne Boardman.
Leeds did stem the tide for a spell, but Brown and Hawkins - twice - added tries in the final seven minutes of the half and with Boardman converting them all, it was 34-8 at the break. Rhinos came out firing at the start of the second half and tries by Josh Butler and Collins, both of which were converted, cut the gap to 16 points.
Panthers, though, ended any prospect of a fightback with a stunning long-range try scored by Brown and he added another couple - making it six for the match - before Cain Horgan’s try and a ninth conversion from Boardman made it 58-20.
Rhinos - who forced nine drop-outs to none by Panthers - refused to give in and Tom Halliwell scored a late try, which he couldn’t convert, but Hawkins went in for his fourth touchdown on the final play and Boardman added a 10th conversion from 11 attempts
Halifax Panthers: Boardman, Hawkins, Brown, Calcott, O’Neill. Subs Holmes, Holt, Horgan.
Leeds Rhinos: Collins, Hills, Butler, Mulhall, Norfolk. Subs Wilkinson, Halliwell, Boyd-Ward, Smith
Referee: Rebecca Whiteley.