Leeds Rhinos reversed the result of Saturday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final in the Under-18 Academy equivalent at the Totally Wicked Stadium less than 24 hours later, in a thrilling contest which underlined the quality of young talent at both clubs.
Kyden Frater snatched a 26-22 win for the Rhinos with his second try of the match in golden point extra-time after Saints had charged down Jack Sinfield’s drop goal attempt.
Sinfield had taken the game into extra time with a late drop goal, his second of the match, after a breathless passage of play in which Leeds took a 21-16 lead through Sinfield’s first drop goal and Frater’s first try, only for Saints to go 22-21 ahead with a George Delaney try converted by Will Roberts.
The Rhinos led 16-10 at half-time through two tries from full-back Alfie Edgell, and one from Jack Smith, with Sinfield kicking two goals.
Saints replied with tries from Keane Gilford and Ben Lane, then pulled level when Nathan Bannerman scored after the break.