Dave Craven: Latest Leeds march to final is on par with Ryder Cup heroics

Perhaps the only true link between them is that they are both sports I’m not very good at. After finally accepting my inconsequential amateur rugby league career was drawing to a close as I neared my 30th birthday – no Menzies-style longevity for me or any mad clamour from anyone to persuade me otherwise – it dawned I’d need something else to quench my competitive thirsts. Golf, I thought, would be a sport I could carry on playing until I’m 80 so some shiny new, high-tech clubs were bought to mark my big 3-0. Unfortunately, it soon emerged I couldn’t even last playing it until I was 31, let alone into my octogenarian years. No patience. No good. Now the clubs are only seen at the back of the garage. Anyway, it doesn’t mean I don’t mind watching the sport especially when it comes to the significant events such as the Ryder Cup when I suddenly become an all-knowing encyclopedia of its intricacies like some Yoda of fourballs. And so, having watched Leeds Rhinos’ marvellous performance at Wigan a week ago, to then tune in, but 48 hours later to see the thrilling finale of Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup odyssey, it got me thinking about the similarities between the two. Europe, trailing 10-4 to the Americans at one point on Saturday, looked like a side on the rack. Ready for breaking. It was always going to be a tough task retaining the trophy in Chicago considering this was widely regarded as the best US team put together for some time and the results were proving so. But then a couple of blue flashes in that day’s latter stages, with the charged-up Ian Poulter proving the inspiration, and come the evening they were sitting at 10-6. It would still require a remarkable resurgence, but the seeds had been sewn. And when Europe marched out and won the opening five singles – seven straight matches – the momentum switch reached tidal-force. Momentum. One term which so often crops up in the vernacular of so many sports. There has to be something in it. So many coaches and players refer to it. Whether it be golf, tennis, cricket or football. In the case of rugby league, Leeds Rhinos currently have it in spades. When they lost at Huddersfield Giants on the final day of the regular season, they could easily have felt as obliterated as those bashed-up Europeans early on Saturday. Probably worse. Only unlike the US, this Huddersfield side had nothing going for them, were down to 12 men and still were allowed to look extraordinary. However, Leeds have always known their season rests on what they do in the play-offs; it is this stage of the year which acts as their final day of Ryder Cup action. In fitting with a side that has now reached six Grand Finals in eight years, they rode that wave of momentum again. They had to dig deep to win their opening play-off against a vibrant Wakefield, while heading to Perpignan saw them draw on real reserves again. To back that up, for a third week running, with another epic performance at minor premiers Wigan leaves them perfectly primed for newcomers Warrington in this Grand Final. They are motoring. Their opponents, meanwhile, were left doubting after losing at home to St Helens three weeks ago. They were then far from impressive in beating Hull, but recovered to defeat Saints at the second time of asking in more commanding style. However, can they, despite their odds-on favourites billing, their Challenge Cup success and their team of all-stars, truly be as confident in their own ability as this surging, dominant Leeds side? A Leeds side who have been there and conquered Old Trafford so many times before? A Leeds side with all the momentum? I find it hard to believe.