Having held their own in defence during the first half, Leeds Rhinos ran riot in the second half at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as they recorded a 26-6 result against Castleford Tigers in Betfred Super League’s Rivals Round.

Two tries apiece from Paul Momirovski and Lachlan Miller saw the duo open their scoring accounts for the club as Rohan Smith's side kickstarted the Easter weekend in style. Castleford’s sole response came from Josh Simm late in the second half as the Tigers remained in search of their first win of the season.

Team News

Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith made one change from last week’s Challenge Cup defeat as Luis Roberts came back into the starting 13 on the wing. Paul Momirovski resumed his place in the centres and Rhyse Martin moved into the back row. It was a special night for Rhinos winger Ash Handley, who marked 200 games for the club. James McDonnell was the only player from the defeat to St Helens that moved to the bench.

Tom Holroyd dropped out of the team as Mickael Goudemand, who made his 100^th Super League appearance, came back onto the bench. Alfie Edgell was named 18^th man.

Craig Lingard reeled the changes from his side’s win over Batley in the Cup. Sam Wood, Danny Richardson, George Lawler and Elie El-Zakhem came back into the team, and Josh Hodson was handed his Super League debut, having moved from Batley in the off-season. Former Rhinos Jack Broadbent, Paul McShane and Alex Mellor faced their former club.

1st Half

Despite coming into the game without a win the Betfred Super League in 2024, Castleford had the best of the chances in a first half as they camped on Leeds’ try line for almost the full 40 minutes.

The opening stages of the game were dominated by the Tigers as they tested the Rhinos defence, but couldn’t convert their chances into points. The closest the home side came to scoring came as a penalty against James Bentley for slowing the ruck, saw Danny Richardson go for goal. The attempt struck the uprights though and Handley brought it away for Leeds.

The torrential rain that had beaten down during pre-match subsided as the Tigers’ bright start continued. Richardson tried a play over the top for Josh Simm, who couldn’t keep hold of the pass, before Miller stabbed a kick in behind to chase, but Leeds held their own on the try line.

In attack, the Rhinos were struggling to muster an opportunity, and were made to pay when errors occurred. A shift to the left edge saw a mistimed pass be intercepted by Liam Watts to turn the tables back in favour of Cas, but off the back of an inspired drive from Elie El-Zakhem, Liam Horne couldn’t find the try line with his run out of dummy half.

Paul McShane also tried to dab a kick ahead for himself, but good scramble defence cleared the ball out.

For all their defending during the first 40 minutes, there were chances for Leeds; particularly when Paul Momirovski almost intercepted Richardson’s pass, only for the wet ball to come free from the centre’s grasp.

Nevertheless, Sam Lisone’s introduction ignited the Leeds attack as the Samoan was thrown right into the action with two back to back carries saw the away end sense an opportunity. As the half reached it’s final moments, great hands and off-the-cuff rugby across the field almost opened up a scoring chance for Leeds, but Broadbent managed to intercept the ball and end the half at 0-0.

2nd Half

Coming out for the second half, the Rhinos suffered a blow as Harry Newman, who went off for a HIA midway through the first 40 minutes, was confirmed as out for the remainder of the game due to the cut he suffered in the first half. Forced into a reshuffle, Rhyse Martin shifted into centre with Handley, and Momirovski swapped to the opposite side of the field to join Roberts.

Minutes into the half, Momirovski was the man to get the game’s first try as the centre opened his account for the Rhinos. A high tackle on Handley proved to be the catalyst for Leeds as they pushed downfield and on the last tackle, Croft’s cross-field kick was batted forward by Senior, but as the ball squirmed around on the loose turf, Momirovski managed to get the slightest hand on it to score.

Chances continued for the visitors as Lisone had a strong carry close to the line, but fumbled the ball under pressure from Westerman, and Lachie Miller almost cut open the Tigers line with a chip ahead for himself, but was brought down.

With the Tigers struggling to settle into the second half rhythm, Momirovski took his chance to get his second of the game. Ackers and Croft combined brilliantly to put McDonnell through the tackles of three Castleford players and the forward set up Momirovski for try number two to take Leeds’ lead to 12 points with Martin’s conversion.

Castleford’s best opportunity of the half came as they had back-to-back sets on the Rhinos try line, but couldn’t find the all-important breakthrough before the tackle count expired.  At the opposite end of the field, Leeds were now the side in control as a drop out forced by Croft’s kick led to Richardson kicking the ball out on the full. Martin decided to take the points on offer and slotted the penalty to take the score to 14-0 with over an hour gone.

The scoring didn’t stop there as Miller finally got his deserved try. Using a knock on from the restart to their advantage, Leeds moved upfield with ease and as Frawley kicked high on the last, Handley batted the ball back between the legs of El-Zakhem and Miller was there to pick up the ball and score under the posts.

Simm got a consolation try for the Tigers heading into the final ten minutes, but the result was put beyond the home side as Miller grabbed his second for the Rhinos. The full back spotted an opportunity as he switched the play to the short side and Croft was there to break through a gaping hole to race into the backfield. The half back showed great composure to hold the ball until the right moment as he found Miller on his inside to conclude the scoring at 26-6.

Next Up

Be at AMT Headingley next Friday night to see the Rhinos take on Warrington Wolves, kick off 8pm.

Ticket prices start at £25 for adults, £20 for concessions and £13 for juniors, with prices rising by £3 on matchdays.

To buy tickets go to tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Tickets also available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop at AMT Headingley Stadium (CLICK HERE to check opening hours before travelling).

Match Facts

Tigers

3. Jack Broadbent, 2. Josh Simm, 18. Josh Hodson, 4. Sam Wood, 5. Innes Senior, 6. Danny Richardson, 7. Jacob Miller, 10. George Lawler, 9. Paul McShane, 8. Liam Watts, 11. Elie El-Zakhem, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Westerman.

Subs: 14. Liam Horne, 19. Sam Hall, 27. Albert Vete, 30. Luis Johnson (18^th Man - 24. Cain Robb)

Tries: Simm (71)

Goals: Richardson 1/2

Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 24. Luis Roberts, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 17. Justin Sangare, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith

Subs: 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. James McDonnell, 18. Mickael Goudemand (18^th Man – 29. Alfie Edgell)

Tries: Momirovski (42, 51), Miller (65, 74)

Goals: Martin 5/5

Referee: Aaron Moore