LEEDS Rhinos claimed the League Leaders’ Shield on Friday, after a sensational late try from winger Ryan Hall ended the league season in dramatic fashion.

St Helens’s 32-16 loss at home to Warrington the night before meant that Wigan, Leeds and Huddersfield were all in with a chance of taking the league title but not even the most romantic of fans could have predicted Friday’s events.

As the night progressed, it became clear that Wigan had the upper hand against Castleford and, despite a brief spell of Tigers dominance in the first half, Dom Manfredi’s four tries helped the Warriors run away with the game in the second as they emerged with a 47-12 win.

This meant that Wigan were now relying on Huddersfield to win at home to Leeds and it looked like they would do just that as they led 16-8 with 10 minutes to go.

As the League Leaders’ Shield hovered in a helicopter somewhere over the Pennines, ready to be delivered to the eventual victor, Super League general manager Blake Solly and the crew began their journey towards Wigan.

Solly commented after the game that they were within sight of the Warriors’ stadium and though Leeds had mounted a comeback with a converted try and a late penalty to make the score 16 apiece, even a draw wasn’t enough for the Rhinos.

Opting to kick a penalty in the last minute rather than go for a try, Kevin Sinfield’s men looked content with the point which would secure a home tie in the semi-finals, rather than going all-out for the win which would take them top.

What happened next will go down as one of the most memorable moments in rugby league and one of the most dramatic finishes to a season in history.

In kicking the penalty, Leeds knew they were likely to regain the ball from the restart. Perhaps they had the confidence in their players to come up with a moment of magic.

“It looks like it’s going to be a draw. Looks like it’s heading for a draw,” said TV commentator Eddie Hemmings as the game entered the last eight seconds.

“McGuire down the line,” continued Hemmings, as the Leeds stand-off chipped the ball over Huddersfield’s defence.

The ball danced across the turf like only a rugby ball can, evading Huddersfield full-back Scott Grix and skipping into the path of the onrushing Ryan Hall, who picked it up 45-yards from the line.

“Oh, oh! Ryan Hall! Ryan Hall! Ryan Hall scores for Leeds and wins them the League Leaders’ Shield,” exclaimed Hemmings as the winger powered across the line, with his co-commentator Mike Stephenson adding: “How on Earth did they do that?”

It was an unbelievable end to an exciting league campaign and as the helicopter turned east, Leeds Rhinos celebrated a 20-16 win which clinched the first silverware of the season.

Attention now turns to the semi-finals which kick off on Thursday when Wigan face Huddersfield, while Leeds host St Helens on Friday.

Fans will be hoping for more sporting drama of the highest level.