By Ben Hill
December 27 2006

It's not the most prized cup the Rhinos have ever one, but it's hopefully the first of many to come yet in the 2007 season.

Tetley's Festive Challenge Match Report

Yesterday in the Boxing day challenge, Leeds beat Wakefield in a entertaining 80 minutes which sealed the Rhinos first silver-wear of the season...

Willie Poching took his final bow for the Rhinos in the Testley’s Festive Challenge against Wakefield yesterday Morning. Scott Donald opened the scoring for the Rhinos and surprisingly, Poching added the final points of the game with a conversion to seal the victory.

Leeds had a scare when new signing Kylie Leuluai limped off after 18 minutes with an ankle injury but he is expected to recover in time for the new season and at most, only missing the first few games.

There was a dramatic finish to the game with a late Luke George try taking the Wildcats to within two points of the hosts only for the teenager Ryan Hall (on his debut) to cross in the dying seconds to seal Leeds' win.

Tony Smith added on the official Leeds Rhinos website (leedsrugby.com):

"I thought it was a really competitive game, there were times when it showed why we play in summer now but at other times it was as good a game as you would get in the middle of the season. Our third try was a great effort and Wakefield pushed us all the way.
"It was really pleasing to see some of the young lads on debut put their hand up today and show out on the pitch what they have been showing all of us in pre-season...

Leeds: Smith, Donald, Toopi, Gibson, Williams, Sinfield, Tansey, Leuluai, Diskin, Bailey, Lauitiiti, Thackray, Jones-Buchanan.
Subs: Poching, Kaye, Burgess, Scruton, Hall, Ratu
Wakefield: Blaymire, Fox, Demetriou, Henderson, Buchanan, White, P March, Watene, Obst, Bibey, MacGillivray, Golden, Ferguson.
Subs: Lewis, Moore, Applegarth, Lima, George
Referee: Richard Silverwood

Attendance: 11,152