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Rugby League

Leeds stage second-half comeback to beat Castleford

28/06/2008

An under-strength Leeds Rhinos staged a superb comeback to secure a 18-12 win over Castleford at the Headingley Carnegie today.

The Super League champions were missing 14 players from their squad due to international commitments and fell 12-0 behind thanks to Castleford tries from Richard Owen and Joe Westerman.

But the Rhinos came storming back in the second-half and won the game after Lee Smith, Matt Diskin, and Brent Webb all crossed the try-line.

Leeds were missing key players like Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Keith Senior, Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow, and struggled badly early on.

Castleford enjoyed the type of possession which they would never get against a full-strength Leeds side, and they made their dominance count when they floated the ball out to the left-wing and Owen dived in the corner to score.

The home side had no real chances of scoring a try to speak of in the first half, and they looked to be heading for defeat at the start of the second period when Castleford extended their lead to 12-0.

Westerman jumped the highest to grab hold of a high kick from Luke Dorn and he touched down to score the second try for Castleford.

But instead of lying down, Leeds fought back like Super League champions. Winger Smith collected a fine Simon Worrall pass to speed away from the Castleford defence and put Leeds on the score-board.

The inspirational Webb then jinked his way past the Castleford defence to grab a deserved try. Hooker Diskin completely the comeback with a try and with Smith converting all Leeds tries, they ran out 18-12 winners.