Leeds Rhinos A-Z – ‘X’ is for...X-bar

There were just eight minutes left of a pulsating Challenge Cup semi-final when Les Dyl went over for a dramatic try which gave Leeds a two-point advantage.

Kevin Dick’s conversion attempt missed, but Leeds held out for the next seven minutes and 35 seconds. With one play remaining, Mick Adams hoisted a kick towards Leeds’ line, the ball bounced off the crossbar and dropped into the arms of a startled Keiron O‘Loughlin, who fell over the whitewash to send Widnes to Wembley. Having been 25 seconds away from the final, Leeds had to wait another 12 years for their next Challenge Cup final appearance.

Fast forward to 2007 and this time Rhinos got the benefit of the lucky bounce, in one of Super League’s most famous incidents.

Leeds were two points behind Bradford Bulls when Kevin Sinfield’s penalty, with the final kick of the first Magic Weekend, hit the Millennium Stadium bar and Jordan Tansey followed up to touch down as the hooter sounded.

To make things even more painful for Bradford, the decision for the penalty had been incorrect and referee Steve Ganson awarded the try without checking with his video referee – who would have spotted Tansey was offside.

X is also for..Xtra-time

Rhinos have a 100 per cent record in matches which go over the 80 minutes.

They beat St Helens in a 2003 Challenge Cup semi-final after Danny McGuire’s try and a Kevin Sinfield conversion from the touchline levelled the scores with the final kick of the 80.

Eight years later, at the same stage, Sinfield booted a golden point penalty winner following a high tackle by Ryan McGoldrick on Danny McGuire. Castleford were the victims in Rhinos’ first golden-point Super League game, last year, which Brad Dwyer won with a long-range drop goal.

X is also for...X-factor players

“A noteworthy special talent or quality”, in the summer era, Iestyn Harris is probably the Leeds player that definition fits best.

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