Wakefield produced a stirring second-half fightback but Leeds survived the fright of their engage Super League lives to record a much-needed victory.

Shortly after the half-hour mark the Rhinos had run in four unanswered tries and were 24-0 ahead and in total control at a packed Belle Vue.

Trinity's ill discipline had cost them dear in a fractious first half during which they conceded 12 penalties and lost two men to the sin bin.

But Ben Jeffries' try on the stroke of half-time gave them fresh hope and after the break they played like a side transformed.

John Kear's men, who had won four of their previous five matches, ran in three tries in a little over 10 minutes to reduce the deficit to just four points.

At 24-20, Wakefield sensed a classic comeback but Ryan Bailey's late try finally put Leeds home and dry.

That ensured Ryan Atkins' late touchdown - his second of the game - was little more than consolation for the spirited Wildcats.

But Wakefield are clearly commanding respect under the astute guidance of the wily Kear, who saved them from relegation last season and has turned them into a forced to be reckoned with.

They were left stunned, however, by the speed and quality of Leeds' first-half performance and were under the cosh from the outset.

A back injury deprived Leeds of their New Zealand Test full-back Brent Webb but they were clearly eager to erase the pain of their humiliating defeat at Hull KR last weekend.

They kept the ball alive at every opportunity and their opening try in the sixth minute was indicative of their early dominance.

A rapid array of inter-passing saw the ball go through Matt Diskin, Danny McGuire, Jordan Tansey and culminated in Scott Donald squeezing over in the left corner.

Skipper Kevin Sinfield failed to convert the goal but seven minutes later Leeds claimed their second try when Keith Senior crossed in the same spot as Donald.

This time Sinfield did convert but controversy soon reigned as Wakefield hooker Paul March caught Rob Burrow late.

The challenge sparked a mass melee between both sets of players with rival skippers Sinfield and Jason Demetriou at the heart of it.

Referee Ashley Klein failed to brandish any yellow cards but Senior and Olivier Elima were soon sent to the sin bin for fighting.

Paul March followed suit for a professional foul and an excellent long-range break allowed Tansey to cross before McGuire scampered over to put Leeds 24-0 up.

Jamie Rooney sent Jeffries racing over the line on the stroke of half-time and Rooney added the two points for an interval score of 24-6. Wakefield remained down but they were by not out and within six minutes they had claimed two tries to cut Leeds' lead to eight points.

Twice Jeffries produced crafty kicks into the right corner. Twice Peter Fox was on hand to finish them off in style.

Rooney converted Fox's second to fuel hopes of a classic Trinity comeback.

They continued to pen Leeds back deep inside their own half and it came as no surprise when Atkins touched down a teasing grubber kick from Brett Ferres in the 54th minute.

Rooney again failed to goal but at 24-20 Wakefield had more than enough time to go in pursuit of victory.

However, Bailey touched down after Demetriou spilled a high kick and Wakefield prop Richard Moore was sent to the sin bin for a disgraceful high tackle on McGuire.

Atkins then claimed his second try but Burrow added a penalty for Leeds before Sinfield added another two-pointer in the last minute to complete the scoring.