Warrington took the points in a tight opening game to Super League XXI at Headingley, notching up the victory that eluded them in last year's Grand Final with a 12-10 scoreline.

It took 35 minutes before Wire's Chris Sandow scored the first points of the 2016 season - reaching out to put the ball down while being tackled by Joel Moon.



Kurt Gidley converted - to be followed by Leeds kicking out on the full from the restart and give Wire the chance of scoring twice in almost as many minutes.

But Jack Hughes knocked with a try seeming the easier option and it stayed 6-0 to the visitors at half time.
To add injury to insult, captain Danny Maguire was forced to limp off the field five minutes before the Warrington score.

But while Leeds might have gone in behind on the scoreboard, the Sinfield-less team had plenty of moments in a blistering first half, including forcing Wire to defend four or five sets early on.

Liam Sutcliffe came close twice in the first 15 minutes, but was held up on the first attempt and saw his second ruled out after a knock-on even though he put the ball down over the line.

And Leeds got right back into it just six minutes into the second half when Rob Burrow sent Brad Singleton through a gap.

Referee James Child went to video ref Ben Thaler - but the try was given, converted by Zak Hardaker and the scores levelled at 6-6.

Just 10 minutes later Ryan Hall put the home team in front for the first time, after good work by his centre Moon.

Hardaker kicked wide with the conversion attempt and the Rhinos were leading 10-6.

Wire pushed forward, and Kevin Penny leveled the score at 10-10 on 68 minutes after a break and kick.
Gidley made no mistake with the conversion attempt and Warrington were back in front at 12-10.

Then the Warrington defence came into its own for the last 10 minutes, with Ben Currie notably making a try saving tackle to stop Burrow with the tryline in his sights.

Leeds final chance to at least level the game for a share of the points when they got a penalty 30m out on 76 minutes.

But Hardaker missed and Wire held out for the win, while the champions were left to rue missed opportunities.


Other SLXXI games this weekend

Tomorrow: Hull FC v Salford, St Helens v Huddersfield, Wigan v Catalans
Sunday: Hull KR v Castleford, Wakefield v Widnes