Eleven tries from eight different players saw Leeds Rhinos secure one of their biggest wins over Castleford Tigers with a dominant 64-6 performance at the OneBore Stadium.

Doubles from Lachie Miller, Ash Handley, and Brodie Croft, along with a first senior try for Presley Cassell, helped Brad Arthur’s side to a convincing result on the road - capping off the week in which the Leeds head coach confirmed he had signed a new contract to remain at the club.

Arthur made two changes to his side: Presley Cassell earned his first start at prop following an injury to Cooper Jenkins, while Andy Ackers returned at hooker. The 18-year-old Cassell, who made his debut only three rounds ago, has impressed enough to earn a place in the starting team. Ackers replaced Jarrod O’Connor to make his first start since the Cup defeat to St Helens in March.

Having already beaten the Tigers twice this season, Leeds took an early lead through a well-worked try from Harry Newman. Chris Hankinson initially seemed to have put Lachie Miller into traffic after collecting a last-tackle kick from Daejarn Asi, but Miller did well to break free and put Leeds on the front foot. Jenson Windley brought down the full-back, but quick vision from Jake Connor saw the halfback kick to the corner, where Newman juggled before grounding the ball.

After assisting Newman, Miller then added a try of his own, giving the visitors a 12–0 lead inside ten minutes. Strong carries from Handley and Cassell pushed Leeds downfield before another pinpoint Connor kick allowed Miller to rise highest and score under the posts.

Castleford thought they had responded through Louis Senior, who beat Newman to a kick from Elliot Wallis, but the winger knocked on before grounding, and the video referee overturned the decision. Leeds continued to find points, this time through Cassell. After Connor was held up just short of the line following a Windley knock-on, Leeds kept their composure and eventually found the breakthrough, with Cassell crashing through a gap to score his first senior Super League try. Connor added the extras to make it 18–0.

Castleford’s afternoon worsened as a sharp Leeds outfit continued to pile on the pressure. Ackers, on his return to the starting side, found a gap from dummy half and provided a well-timed pass for Croft to score in back-to-back games.

Despite holding Leeds to just seven points in their last meeting in Round 12, Castleford couldn’t contain them this time. With five minutes left in the half, Miller and Hankinson kept the play alive before Handley’s grubber was touched down by James Bentley, taking the score to 30–0. Handley nearly added another moments later, but was held up just short following an offload from Croft. However, there was still time for Ryan Hall to get on the scoresheet, as more clever play from Croft released the winger one-on-one with Wallis for a simple finish. Connor converted to make it 36–0 at the break.

The second half began much like the first, with Leeds adding two quick tries. Exploiting an overlap on the left, sharp hands found Gannon in space, who passed inside to Miller. The full-back unselfishly set up Handley, who made no mistake this time. Soon after, Hall grabbed his second on the opposite wing, profiting from a George Lawler knock-on and a quick pass from Newman.

Handley looked to have scored again after picking up a loose ball and sprinting 50 metres to the line, only for the video referee to rule a knock-on in the build-up. Still, Leeds kept coming. A chip kick from Miller connected with Hankinson, who batted the ball back for Connor to stroll in for another try, which he converted to take the score to 52–0.

With the result beyond doubt, Arthur rotated his squad, giving Miller a rest and bringing on Kallum Watkins at full-back. Watkins immediately made an impact, getting an offload away to Gannon, who then released Bentley to create space for Croft’s second try.

Castleford’s only real opportunity came from a Hankinson error, but they couldn’t find a way through Leeds’ organised defence. Atkin’s kick was comfortably dealt with, and Leeds soon struck again. Hall capitalised on another Lawler mistake but was denied a hat-trick by the Castleford cover. However, a quick shift across the field left the Tigers short once more, and Handley broke through the challenge of Sam Wood to complete his brace. Hankinson took over the kicking duties and added the extras to bring the score to 64–0 with five minutes to play.

Windley crossed late on for a consolation try to get the Tigers on the board, but the day belonged to Leeds, who kept their top-four hopes alive with a commanding 64–6 win.

Teams

Tigers

27. Jenson Windley, 24. Josh Simm, 4 Sam Wood (C), 22. Louis Senior, 45. Elliot Wallis, 6. Daejarn Asi, 42. Chris Atkin, 38. Brad Singleton, 16. Cain Robb, 41. Tom Amone, 10. George Lawler, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Westerman

Subs: 15. George Griffin, 19. Sam Hall, 20. Muizz Mustapha, 43. Joe Stimson  (18^th Man – 26. George Hill)

Tries: Windley (77)

Goals: Atkin 1/1

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 31. Chris Hankinson, 4. Ash Handley (CC), 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 18. Jake Connor, 10. Keenan Palasia, 9. Andy Ackers, 28. Presley Cassell, 16. Morgan Gannon, 12. James McDonnell, 28. Kallum Watkins

Subs: 15. Sam Lisone, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 11. James Bentley, 24. Ben Littlewood (18^th Man – 20. Jack Sinfield)

Tries: Newman (5), Miller (10), Cassell (18), Croft (20, 63), Bentley (30), Hall (38, 49), Handley (44, 72), Connor (59)

Goals: Connor 9/10, Hankinson 1/1