Leeds had to withstand a late fightback from the Giants to get back to winning ways at Headingley Carnegie.
The Giants arrived at Headingley Carnegie without a win so far this season and looking to avenge a 50-0 beating they received on their last visit in pre-season.
Whilst Jon Sharp's side were resting last weekend the Rhinos were taking on a determined Catalans side in the South of France and were looking to bounce back from that defeat.
The visitors had the best of the early pressure when a good break by Paul Reilly set up Chris Thorman for a towering bomb which was caught in the swirling wind and meant Brent Webb was trapped in goal.
In the next set, Jamie Peacock was penalised by referee Ian Smith for holding down Brad Drew and Thorman elected to take the points in the conditions, his penalty made it 2-0 after 7 minutes.
The Rhinos grew in confidence as the game progressed and had a great chance when Scott Donald made a blistering break in centre field beforfe he was tackled just over half way. However the pressure eventually told.
Rob Burrow saw a gap in the home defence and sprinted for the corner, he was just tackled short but as he fell he offloaded to Clinton Toopi who dived to catch the ball and score in the same motion for his first try at Headingley Carnegie. Sinfield's conversion went wide but the Rhinos now led 4-2.
The visitors struck back three minutes later with a great flowing move that cover 60 metres and involved Kevin Brown twice before Robbie Paul threw a pass over the top to Eorl Crabtree to go over for the score. Thorman added the conversion to make it 8-4.
Despite the wet and cold conditions both teams were not afraid to throw the ball around and the Rhinos retook the lead after Danny McGuire took a low pass, ran at the defensive line before passing to Jamie Jones-Buchanan to score his second try in as many weeks. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 10-8 after 24 minutes.
Leeds extended their lead after 32 minutes when Kevin Sinfield made a break on half way who drew the last man then released Lee Smith who raced clear before diving in at the corner. Reilly went in late on the Leeds winger and Brent Webb sprung to his defence. Reilly then reigned in punches on the Leeds fullback that resulted in both players being sin binned. Sinfield's conversion was just wide from the touchline but the Rhinos now led 14-4 and that was how it remained at half time.
Huddersfield looked to cut the deficit at the start of the half and they needed a great cover tackle by Jamie Thackray to stop one move after he raced back to tackle Chris Thorman.
However, Leeds turned defence into attack and forced a repeat set after 51 minutes as they looked to increase their advantage. Leeds continued to build pressure and they were awarded a penalty after 58 minutes when Jamahl Lolesi went in late on Rob Burrow after he had kicked ahead. Sinfield kicked the penalty to make it 16-8.
Leeds had to withstand a mountain of pressure in the remainder of the half as they fell foul of referee Ian Smith. Leeds eventually cleared their lines when Kevin Sinfield and Scott Donald combined from a drop out but even then Mr Smith could not be pleased and penalised the Rhinos for hands in the ruck. The frustration spilled over and Brent Webb was sin binned after 77 minutes for dissent.
The Giants made the most of their extra man and scored with a minute remaining through Chris Thorman. There was more than a hint of a forward pass in the build up but Darrell Griffin put Thorman away to make it 16-12. The Giants captained missed the conversion but we were set for a tense end.
Huddersfield threw everything at the Rhinos in the closing stages but Leeds held firm and showed real commitment and desire for each other to keep out the visitors and record the win.
Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock, Diskin, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield
Subs: Lauitiiti, Leuluai, Thackray, Tansey
Huddersfield: Thorman, Gardner, Lolesi, Nero, Reilly, Brown, Paul, Mason, Drew, Skandalis, Jones, Crabtree, Wild.
Subs: Raleigh, Griffin, Hudson, Snitch
Ref: Ian Smith
Attendance: 15,703
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