Leeds Rhinos player ratings after close-fought 16-14 defeat at Castleford Tigers
Leeds Rhinos slumped to a seventh Super League defeat of the season after being beaten at neighbours Castleford Tigers. Here are the player ratings.
Liam Sutcliffe - 7: Had a lot of defending to do during the first half in particular but missed the tackle on Liam Watts for Castleford’s clinching try.
Tom Briscoe - 5: Got precious little service back in his old position on the right flank. Came inside looking for work to little avail.
Max Simpson - 6: The 17-year-old centre was making his Super League debut and showed glimpses of his talent with some tidy offloads inside the right channel.
Alex Mellor - 6: Picked ahead of Jack Broadbent at centre again and did not let his side down. But Leeds have the worst attack in Super League and again they did not create much.
Ash Handley - 7: Leeds' most consistent performer was at it again. A tonne of carries which saw his blood to water, underlining his commitment to the cause, and a brilliant assist for Martin’s second try.
Blake Austin - 6: Had looked lively until he was forced off in the eighth minute after being hurt when trying to tackle Kenny Edwards. A failed HIA means Austin now misses Friday’s crunch home clash with relegation rivals Toulouse Olympique.
Jack Sinfield - 6: A couple of nervous touches but grew into the game and his grubber kick created Rhyse Martin’s try. Got better in the second half in front of his watching family.
Mikolaj Oledzki - 6: Carried strongly as usual against some of Castleford’s big forwards such as Liam Watts and Joe Westerman.
Kruise Leeming - 6: Went into the halves after Austin went off injured and added some zip to the Rhinos’ attack at times.
Bodene Thompson - 6: Tried to fight fire with fire with the Tigers’ pack but found it tough going at times.
James Bentley - 5: No faulting his desire but the penalty he conceded for a late hit on Joe Westerman cost Leeds dear. Bentley was sinbinned and Gareth O’Brien booted the two points to put Cas 10-8 up.
Rhyse Martin - 7: Scored both the Rhinos’ tries and was in the thick of most things for the visitors. A lively, busy display.
Jarrod O’Connor - 6: Was picked ahead of Tetevano in his favourite position of loose forward and had two good stints. Knocked on horribly on halfway late on.
Zane Tetevano - 6: No mistaking the big forward’s desire as he came off the bench in both halves to make his mark.
Brad Dwyer - 6: Tried to find his way through the Castleford defence but not much tried he came off.
Morgan Gannon - 6 : Made his presence felt before a late knock-on from Kruise Leeming’s pass gifted possession back to the Tigers as the Rhinos looked to win it.
James Donaldson - 7: Ran hard off the bench with some outstanding carries.
