Leeds Rhinos U18s 52 Castleford Tigers U18s 0

A ten-try performance gave Leeds Rhinos Under-18s a convincing 52-0 win over local rivals Castleford Tigers at Headingley Stadium as Tony Smith’s side recorded back-to-back wins.

Having got their second win of the season with 15 players against London Broncos, the Rhinos were able to name a full 17-man squad to take on the Tigers and they didn’t disappoint in their first Headingley appearance of the season.

Although they were tested early on by their opponents, Leeds hit the front when Jack Smith managed to smuggle an offload away for Declan Ementon to score his fourth try in three successive matches. Kyden Frater, who made his first appearance for the Under-18s since their opening game against Newcastle, quickly followed suit as the winger was released by a great pass over the top by Shane Tuohey.

Smith marked his return to the team as well with a try off the back of a searching run, before Jack Johnson opened his scoring account of the game, thanks to a well timed pass from Fergus McCormack. Smith converted three of the opening four tries.

With a 22 point advantage, Castleford were being torn apart by the young Rhinos. After a spell of pressure saw the visitors try and push for their first points of the game,  Smith and McCormack combined to put the half back into the backfield, and despite the best attempts of the chasing Tigers defence, Harry Taylor finished off the move beautifully in the corner for Leeds’ fifth of the game.

Either side of half time, the Rhinos kept the scoreboard ticking over. Neil Tchamambe coasted his way in to touch down at the end of the first half to get his fifth try of the season, and then Leo Aliyu came off the bench to bulldoze his way to the try line to score the first try of the second half.

Johnson’s second of the game took the home side beyond 40 points, but Castleford finally looked like they had a response when Ethan Rooney crossed, only for it to be chalked off for an obstruction.

With the result all but wrapped up, Leeds finished with a flurry of two quick-fire tries. A break by Tuohey allowed Tayler Stephenson to get his first try in Rhinos colours in a well worked try, and finally Kyden Frater boosted the home side beyond 50 points as Leeds caught Cas outnumbered on the edge.

The young Rhinos now look ahead to the visit of the unbeaten Hull FC to Stanningley in a fortnight's time.