Ben Jones-Bishop grabbed a hat-trick of tries to help Leeds claim a 44-40 victory over Wakefield in a thrilling Stobart Super League clash at Headingley on Monday night.
The England Knights winger was one of 10 Rhinos players backing up from international duty 48 hours earlier and the defending champions needed all their big guns to end Wakefield's three-match winning run.
With both sides scoring seven tries, the difference was provided by the boot of Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield, who kicked eight goals from as many attempts, including a crucial penalty on 65 minutes.
Wakefield stand-off Paul Sykes also enjoyed a 100% record with the boot as he declined to attempt to convert winger Peter Fox's 79th-minute try in order to save time for an unsuccessful late victory bid.
Leeds' triumph, in a fixture held over from February because of their involvement in the World Club Challenge, was only their second in six league matches but it was enough to lift them back into the top eight at the expense of Bradford.
The outcome was especially sweet for England captain Jamie Peacock who made the 450th appearance of his career while 18-year-old team-mate Stevie Ward enjoyed his first Leeds win on his fifth senior appearance.
Leeds' other try scorers were Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Zak Hardaker, Weller Hauraki and Carl Ablett while Ali Lauitiiti, Ben Cockayne, Oliver Wilkes, Dean Collis, Kyle Trout and Tim Smith also crossed for the visitors.
