Leeds edge Wakefield 24-22 on Gale’s late drop goal

Leeds edged Wakefield 24-22 in a tight Super League thriller at Belle Vue last night, with Luke Gale’s 79th-minute drop goal sealing the win. The Rhinos survived a late surge from Wakefield to claim two crucial points in a match that had everything—late drama, missed chances and a dramatic finish.

This was a battle between two Yorkshire rivals fighting to climb away from the bottom of the table. Wakefield came into the game on a high, having won their last two matches, while Leeds arrived off the back of a poor run of form that left them just two points above the relegation zone. The stakes were clear—three points could have moved Wakefield closer to safety, while Leeds needed the win to steady their slump. Instead, both went home with little to cheer, though Leeds at least leave with something.

Wakefield started brightly, led by the inspirational Jacob Miller, who set up both of his side’s first-half tries. Liam Finn and Mason Lino crossed before half-time to give Wakefield a 12-6 lead, but Leeds fought back through tries from Ash Handley and Kruise Leeming. The Rhinos looked set to take the lead when Gale converted his side’s second try, but Wakefield’s Morgan Smith kicked a late penalty to force extra time. In the end, it was Gale’s 25th-minute drop goal—his third of the night—that settled it, sparking wild celebrations on the Leeds bench.

The result keeps Leeds just above the relegation zone, but safety is far from guaranteed. Wakefield, meanwhile, remain in the bottom three, their survival hopes hanging by a thread. Both sides will now turn their attention to their next matches, knowing every point counts in the fight to avoid the drop. For Leeds, Gale’s heroics bought them precious time. For Wakefield, the clock is ticking.