sport news Leeds 18-35: Wakefield: Tom Johnston ruins Rhinos return to Headingley

View
comments

Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone ruined Leeds' homecoming with a 12-minute hat-trick of tries in a 35-18 victory at a new-look Headingley.

The Rhinos opted to start their Betfred Super League campaign with four away matches to enable the £45million redevelopment work to continue and had high hopes of improving their fortunes on their eagerly-awaited return.

They had the encouragement of an early try from winger Ash Handley but the game turned on the tryscoring heroics of Johnstone, who made his England debut last October and must be a candidate for the Lions tour on the evidence of his performance.

His first-half treble enabled Trinity to establish a 22-10 interval lead which was more than enough for the visitors to consolidate, thanks largely to the game management of veteran half-back Danny Brough, who finished with 15 points from a try, five goals and a drop goal.

Wakefield, who gave a first appearance of the season to burly forward Pauli Pauli, kept a tight rein on Leeds dangerman Konrad Hurrell and were 35-10 up before conceding two late tries.

Leeds switched

read more from dailymail.....