Leeds prevail in tight contest to become world champions

Leeds have ended Australia's three year dominance of the World Club Challenge, defeating Manly 26-12 at Headingley.

21,000 plus crammed into Headingley to watch a rematch of the 2008 World Club Challenge (WCC) between Manly and Leeds. The Sea Eagles started slow, dropping the kick-off then conceding from a simple angled run from Kallum Watkins, Sinfield converted for a 6-0 start.

Manly finally got themselves some good field position, thanks to Kieran Foran's kicking game but Ryan Hall had a few grabs, finally taking an interception to increase the Rhinos lead to twelve.

Once Manly got back into Leeds half they produced some points with Daly Cherry-Evans and Brett Stewart combing on an inside ball, to send the latter over for the visitors only try of the first half, duly converted by Jamie Lyon.

Leeds would have the final say of the first half with a pinpoint kick from Kevin Sinfield landing right in Ryan Hall's hands to make it 16-6 going into the break after a pacey half.

After the resumption, Manly were in control running with the breeze and eating he metres up field. Tony Williams scattered several defenders close to line before Daly Cherry-Evans dummied to touch down and make it 16-12 with thirty one minutes to play.

The next passage was highlighted by penalties, the majority by Leeds gave Manly prime position to put themselves on top but Leeds defense held out.

A silly penalty by Jason King gave Leeds field position which they converted with a simple catch pass to Ben Jones-Bischop to give them an eight point lead.

It was put to bed right after when Carl Ablett picked up the scraps from a grubber kick to seal the game and Kevin Sinfield converted making it 26-12.The win crowned Leeds world club champions.

Match Details
Leeds Rhinos 26 defeated Manly Sea Eagles 12
National Rugby League - World Club Challenge - Saturday February 18, 2012 7:00am
Venue: Carnegie Headingley Stadium
Referee: Ashley Klein
Video Referee: Ian Smith
Touch Judges: James Child and Clint Sharrad
Crowd: approx 21,000
Halftime: Leeds Rhinos 16 Manly Sea Eagles 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Kevin Sinfield (3 Conversions)
2 Points - Ryan Hall (2 Tries)
1 Point - Brett Stewart (1 Try)

Leeds Rhinos (26)
Tries: Carl Ablett, Ryan Hall (2), Kallum Watkins, Ben Jones-Bishop
Conversions: Kevin Sinfield (3/5)

Manly Sea Eagles (12)
Tries: Brett Stewart, Daly Cherry-Evans
Conversions: Jamie Lyon (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Morning all in Australia, we're live at a cold Headingly, for the 2012 World Club Challenge.
1 min: Leeds kick off and oh dear, Jason King has spilt it.
2 min: Brent Webb tries a wrap up in the corner but it only goes to ground. Manly will be relieved.
3 min: Penalty Manly but Cherry Evans doesn't find touch!
4 min: Back to back penalties, has Leeds attacking Manly's line.
6 min: The start has looked like two sides in early season form. Jones-Buchanan spills an easy one.
8 min: Inch perfect kick from Foran to trap Jones-Bishop in goal.
14 min: End to end stuff here but both teams are holding firm.
19 min: A poor kick from Manly is worsened with a penalty given away by Cherry-Evans.
20 min: TRY
The pressure toils with a simple angle run by Callum Watkins sees him stroll over.
Leeds Rhinos 6-0
22 min: Leeds lose it from the restart.
24 min: Manly concede another penalty but they hold Leeds out.
27 min: A fortuitous penalty for Manly for a steal and compounded by another for a two on one steal.
30 min: TRY
Brett Stewart creates the overlap and throws the cut out but intercept! Ryan Hall goes the length of the field to score.
Leeds Rhinos 12-0
31 min: Ooh lifting tackle from Lussick is pinged but Leeds fail to find touch.
34 min: TRY
A drop out and penalty gives Manly does position for DCE and Brett Stewart to link up for a try. Lyon converts.
Leeds Rhinos 12-6
37 min: TRY
Leeds hit right back! Kevin Sinfield lands it right in Hall's hands to cross for his second. Sinfieldmisses.
Leeds Rhinos 18-6
40 min: Halftime! Leeds deserve their 16-6 lead, we'll be back in ten minutes for the second half.
41 min: We're back and Manly kick off for the second half.
41 min: Rob Burrow is three quarters through the gap but is halted by Tony Williams but for too long, penalty.
43 min: Brett Stewart picks up the scraps on last then is caught high.
44 min: A clear penalty for Manly with Darcy Lussick stuck underneath Carl Ablett. Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Darcy Lussick both leaving the field with injury.
45 min: High tackle from Jamie Lyon, now Leeds will start on halfway.
47 min: Forward pass to Hall cruels the Leeds attacking raid.
51 min: Kieran Foran has been great with kicking, trapping Hall in goal again.
53 min: TRY
A strong run by Tony Williams, shatters defenders. Cherry-Evans dummies and scores! Lyon with the conversion nails it.
Leeds Rhinos 16-12
56 min: Manly try the run around then a kick from Lyon is luckily spilt from the Leeds backs.
57 min: Another penalty to Manly, interference in the ruck.
We're off to the video referee for the first time, check if there's a push.
59 min: No try! The push in the back by Brett Stewart denies Steve Matai a try.
60 min: Stupid penalty in possession from Rob Burrow.
61 min: Another penalty to Manly and the Leeds captain is getting spoken to.
62 min: First hit up from Jason King and he leads with the elbow, penalty to Leeds.
64 min: Relieving penalty for Leeds.
68 min: High shot on Brett Stewart, surely some action needs to be taken.
70 min: Manly go for the second man play again but its an obstruction.
73 min: Rob Burrow is dinking around is caught awkwardly by Tony Williams.
77 min: TRY
Rhinos find a way through finally. It was simple catch and pass after Burrow drew in defenders. Jones-Bishop seals it for Leeds.
Leeds Rhinos 20-12
77 min: Kick off is out on the full. Academic now.
Leeds might have put the icing on the cake with a try to Ablett, just checking it.
80 min: TRY
Grubber from Sinfield is put into the mixer and its batted back for Carl Ablett.
Leeds Rhinos 26-12
80 min: Fulltime! Leeds are world club champion.