Lee Smith, the stand-in full-back, snatched a dramatic victory for Leeds in a penalty-dominated Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final at a soggy Headingley against Wigan yesterday as they came from behind to win 12-10. The accuracy of Pat Richards, who kicked five penalties, looked to have steered Wigan through to the last four as they led 10-8 with just a minute left of an error-strewn encounter.
But Smith, deputising for the suspended Brent Webb, struck for his fourth try since returning from rugby union at Easter as he evaded two tackles to touchdown and give Leeds the lead for the first time in the match. Brian McClennan, the Leeds coach, said he was not surprised his side had turned it around at the death. "We knew that, if it was close in the last quarter, we felt fairly confident because of our big-match experience," he said. "We're not being big-headed but, if it is close with 10 or 15 minutes to go, most teams get a bit edgy against us because we have a track record of getting teams at the death."
Meanwhile in the Australian National Rugby League, Darren Lockyer, the Brisbane Broncos captain, led by example as his side beat the Cronulla Sharks 20-4 yesterday. Lockyer raced home for a second-half try, set up Israel Folau for a four-pointer and also produced a fantastic tackle to deny Trent Barrett a try. Ivan Henjak, the Brisbane coach, told the NRL website: "I thought he [Lockyer] was our best tonight, he led by example, saving that try and getting one himself, he made a huge contribution.
"Those plays turn footy matches and there were a few of those for us tonight. Darren's was the crucial one." Yesterday's other match saw the Manly Sea Eagles edge out the North Queensland Cowboys 24-20. * Compiled by Graham Caygill, with agencies
