A convincing eight-try display saw Leeds Rhinos outclass London Broncos in a 46-8 result at AMT Headingley Stadium.

Coming off the back of a tight win over Hull FC the week before, the Rhinos ran riot in front of a home crowd as eight different players contributed to the eight try win, including the returning Ash Handley, man of the match Jack Sinfield, and Mickael Goudemand who got the first try of his Leeds career. 

Team News

A youthful lineup for the Rhinos saw Rohan Smith make three changes to the side that beat Hull FC last time out. Ash Handley, who missed out on the Hull trip with a rib injury, was back on the wing as Paul Momirovski was ruled out. Riley Lumb retained his spot on the wing as Luis Roberts shifted into centre.

Into the halves, Jack Sinfield made his first appearance of the Super League season as he was named in place of Matt Frawley in the halves. Jarrod O’Connor was also named as a starter as Andy Ackers dropped to the bench.

Ackers was part of an unchanged bench that included Sam Lisone, Leon Ruan and Alfie Edgell.

1st Half

It didn’t take long for Leeds to settle into the match as an early break down the edge from Luis Roberts showed promise for the Rhinos.

They soon capitalised inside the opening four minutes, as Brodie Croft crossed for a great solo effort. Realising the London retreat was slow, the half back got hold of the ball and broke the line before rounding the full back Alex Walker to finish a great try.

London had their moments down on Leeds’ tryline but couldn’t muster a score as the Rhinos started to settle into their lead. Although they missed chance to progress upfield, Ash Handley marked his return to the side with a much-needed try on 17 minutes. Lachie Miller did well to make ground after fielding Oliver Leyland’s kick on the last as the Leeds full back broke into the backfield. Although he didn’t back himself all the way with chasers coming back, Miller held onto the ball long enough to find Handley racing up and the winger finished under the posts to take the score to 12-0.

A big opportunity for an interception by Roberts left the Rhinos rueing what could have been as London got their sole try of the first half through Ethan Natoli. The score was a minor blip in an almost flawless first half as two more tries gave the home side a commanding lead at the break.

Although Leeds lost Riley Lumb and Brodie Croft to injury in the first half, Croft’s replacement Andy Ackers had an excellent game as the hooker hit the ground running. No sooner had he entered the field of play, Ackers slid a great grubber kick in behind the London line and James McDonnell was there to score his first of the season.

Roberts also got his try, created by a break from Jarrod O’Connor. Having found a seam to slice through, O’Connor couldn’t find a support player before he was caught, but great composure from Ackers and Miller moved the ball wide fast for Roberts to touch down and make the score 22-4 at half time.

2nd Half

A damaging second half saw the Rhinos take all the league points as four tries blew the Broncos away.

Starting as they had finish the first half, great link up play between Miller and man of the match Jack Sinfield saw the young half back feed Mickael Goudemand, who crashed over to score his first try for the Rhinos.

Although it was his first Super League game of the season, Sinfield was unfazed by the occasion as he directed the Rhinos around the park in the absence of Croft. He got his reward too as Ackers was allowed to run out of dummy half and Sinfield was there to take his pass outside to walk in under the posts.

London’s Robbie Storey added a consolation effort with 20 minutes to go, as he finished a move that went from the left to the right side of the field to take the score to 34-8.

But the Rhinos were sure to give their fans an entertaining Friday night under the lights with two more tries to take the score out of reach. With the Broncos unable to handle Sinfield and Ackers on the left, a switch to the right found Cameron Smith, who had moved into the halves, and the Leeds skipper’s pass set up Sam Lisone on a barraging run for the try line.

Handley was unlucky not to get a second try of the game as the Rhinos created space for the winger with quick passing, but London’s slide defence got up in time to stop the Leeds man. Nevertheless, another prop Justin Sangare finalised the try scoring as he was another beneficiary of Ackers’ speed out of dummy half. Rhyse Martin concluded a good night with the boot to give Leeds a 46-8 win.

Next up

Round 11 sees the Rhinos head to Perpignan to take on Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, kick off 5.30 UK time.

Match Facts

Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 5. Ash Handley, 24. Luis Roberts, 12. Rhyse Martin, 33. Riley Lumb, 6. Brodie Croft, 21. Jack Sinfield, 17. Justin Sangare, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 16. James McDonnell, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 13. Cameron Smith (C)

Subs: 15. Sam Lisone, 23. Leon Ruan, 29. Alfie Edgell, 9. Andy Ackers (18^th Man – 30. Tom Nicholson-Watton)

Tries: Croft (3), Handley (16), McDonnell (34), Roberts (38), Goudemand (43), Sinfield (48), Lisone (59), Sangare (71)

Goals: Martin 7/8

London Broncos

1. Alex Walker, 2. Lee Kershaw, 21. Robbie Storey, 3. Jarred Bassett, 4. Hakim Miloudi, 20. Oli Leyland, 34. Ugo Tison, 19. Rhys Kennedy, 9. Sam Davis, 17. Sidiq Adebiyi, 11. Will Lovell (C), 29. Jacob Jones, 15. Marcus Stock

Subs: 8. Rob Butler, 7. James Meadows, 12. Ethan Natoli, 33. Harvey Makin (18^th Man – 16. Jordan Williams)

Tries: Natoli (27), Storey (58)

Goals: Leyland 0/2