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Warrington edge past Leeds to reach Grand Final - Published Betfred Super League play-off semi-final Leeds (12) 12 Tries: Hall, Connor Goals: Connor 2 Warrington (12) 14 Tries: Bentley, Yates Goals: Irwin 3 Warrington Wolves have reached their first Super League Grand Final in eight years with a thrilling victory against Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Stadium. In a tense and topsy-turvy semi-final the sides traded two first-half tries each and were locked at 12-12 at the break, before the Wolves were awarded a contentious penalty which was slotted nervelessly by 18-year-old Ewan Irwin to nudge them ahead. Half-back Jake Connor scored 10 points for an injury-depleted Rhinos, including a first-half try which he inventively created in midfield, and attempted a goal-kick from 62 metres out with the final play of the game but the ball landed short of the sticks. The Wolves will face the winners of either Wigan Warriors or Wakefield Trinity in the showpiece final at Old Trafford next Saturday, as they stand just one win away from a first league title since 1955. Leeds limped into the semi-final missing a number of key players including the league's top try-scorer Maika Sivo, captain Ash Handley, and Man of Steel nominee Lachie Miller. The Rhinos were dealt with a further injury blow moments before kick-off when Chris Hankinson pulled up in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Ned McCormack in the starting line-up. Warrington breached Leeds' inexperienced backline after five minutes as England captain George Williams' pinpoint kick was met by Matty Ashton, who helped find former Rhino James Bentley to slide over for an early score. Brodie Croft's cut-out pass found Ryan Hall to score his 358th career try to draw level with former Wakefield legend Neil Fox in the all-time scorers list, as Connor nailed the extras from touch to drag Leeds level. Connor was then involved at the other end of the field, teaming up with young full-back Fergie McCormack to usher Albert Hopoate into touch as he threatened to score and moments later Arron Lindop collided with team-mate Hopoate as the Wolves again squandered a certain four points. Leeds made the Wolves pay soon later as they raced down field. A delicate kick over the top from Connor bounced kindly for McCormack, and once Kallum Watkins found Connor he was not to be denied by Ashton's scrambling defending, using his momentum to spin and crash down. Moments before the break, prop Luke Yates pirouetted elegantly past Cooper Jenkins to slide in next to the sticks as Irwin levelled the scores with the boot as half-time approached. The game's decisive moment came after the break when James McDonnell was adjudged to have challenged Williams off the ball under a high ball and Irwin stepped up to the tee to notch Warrington two points in front. A charge down from Keenan Palasia near his own line kept Leeds in the fight but a great tackle from Bentley forced a knock-on as both defences were on top in the second period. Connor's sensational 40/20 with two minutes remaining ultimately was in vain as Palasia's ball-carrying arm had already hit the floor in the build-up. A block off the ball gave Connor the chance to be the hero and force the game into golden point but, at the wire, he was unable to find the distance required and Williams kicked the ball into touch to the relief of the travelling supporters. 'A soft penalty decided a big game' - reaction Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur said: "I've not whinged or complained the whole time I've been here. I'm extremely proud of our team and our club and players. "I don't know what more we could have really done. We got a couple of bits and pieces wrong but so did they. It just would have been really nice if the game was decided by an individual or a piece of skill. "We're talking about a field goal or something like that rather than a soft penalty to decide such a big game. It is a soft penalty. "Ned got escorted four or five times tonight on kicks and I wasn't expecting penalties for them. But that's a soft penalty to decide such a big game." Warrington Wolves captain George Williams told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Nerve-wracking, mad game, just pleased we've came through the other side. "Credit to Leeds, they gave it a good crack. They've been a great team all year but we rode the waves and the main thing is we're through to the big dance next week. "They were probably dominant for the first 20 [minutes], we came home strong in the back end [of the first half]. It's no good for the nerves but sometimes it's better when you're out there, you can do something about it." [On earning the match-winning penalty] "People think it might be a bit controversial but I was chasing the ball and I got a little nudge. I was off balance and nowadays, with the escorts, they give them. Luckily, it went to us and that was the game." Leeds: F. McCormack; Lumb, N. McCormack, Newman, Hall; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O'Connor, Lodge, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia. Interchanges: Holroyd, Jenkins, Smith, Cassell. Warrington: Josh Thewlis; Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams, Irwin; Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie. Interchanges: Yates, Powell, Philbin, Tanginoa. Referee: Chris Kendall.
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