Wakefield Triumphs Over Leeds in Thrilling Super League Clash

In a tense finale, Wakefield's Mason Lino scores a last-gasp drop-goal to edge past Leeds Rhinos 15-14, boosting their play-off hopes.

By Chris Posiano

July 25, 2025 at 1:04 AM

8,901 views

In a dramatic turn of events at Belle Vue, Wakefield Trinity claimed a narrow 15-14 victory over rivals Leeds Rhinos, with Mason Lino's late drop-goal proving the difference.

The highly anticipated Super League derby saw both teams battle fiercely until the final moments. Leeds Rhinos appeared poised for a win, having scored a crucial try by Jarrod O'Connor in the 66th minute, but Wakefield's determined performance would not be denied.

Wakefield started the match with a bang, as Lachlan Walmsley scored the opening try. However, Sam Lisone quickly responded for Leeds, leveling the score early on. Both teams exchanged blows throughout the game, but it was in the final minutes where the game truly hinged on a dramatic sequence of events.

With the scores level after Matty Storton's try for Wakefield, it was down to the specialists to decide the match. Brodie Croft, representing Leeds, narrowly missed a drop-goal attempt, setting the stage for Mason Lino's heroics. Under immense pressure, Lino stepped up and delivered a precise drop-goal from 35 meters, securing a thrilling victory for Wakefield with just seconds remaining.

The win propelled Daryll Powell's Wakefield side into sixth place in the Super League standings, while Leeds missed the opportunity to climb closer to second-placed Wigan. Leeds head coach Brad Arthur reflected on the loss, stating, "I was extremely proud of the effort, and physicality, their fight and want and desire. We defended our try line all night, it seemed."

Arthur continued, acknowledging the errors that cost his team: "But if you give a quality team that many chances, you're not going to come away with the points. In the first half we did really well to come in at 8-8, we hadn't been in the game. But there were too many cheap errors in the second half, we handed them possession by their try line, they didn't have to work hard for it."

Despite the defeat, Arthur praised his team's resilience, adding, "We worked hard to get scoring opportunities, and when we did, we took them. We've got to learn from that."

Wakefield's triumph was celebrated wildly by players and staff alike, with Lino's 150th career appearance taking on a special significance. The result not only keeps Wakefield's play-off dreams alive but also adds another chapter to the intense rivalry between the two West Yorkshire sides.