York Knights 16 Leeds Rhinos 66

A twelve-try performance from Leeds Rhinos saw Brad Arthur’s side get back to winning ways as they defeated York Knights 66-16 to move back to the top of the Betfred Super League table.

A hat-trick from returning winger Riley Lumb and a debut score from Matt Lodge saw Leeds claim a crucial two league points before the second half got underway, as they led 36-6 after 40 minutes. Even despite a late York rally, the result saw Leeds move back to the top of the league table ahead of Wigan Warriors as the two sides continued to battle it out for the League Leaders’ crown.

In search of a response after defeat to Leigh last time out, Brad Arthur handed a debut to new signing Matt Lodge after he arrived from the North Queensland Cowboys during the week. The prop was named on the bench in place of forward Presley Cassell, who made a second start of the season at loose forward, while Kallum Watkins shifted into the second row. Cameron Smith rotated onto the bench alongside Tom Holroyd, Zak Lloyd and Lodge.

It was a day to remember for Harry Newman, who made his 150th Super League appearance as he ran out in the centres. Cooper Jenkins also made his 50th club appearance a year on from signing for the Rhinos.

It didn’t take long for the away side to lead as two tries from Riley Lumb handed the Rhinos a comfortable advantage inside the opening 15 minutes. Arthur’s side had put the Knights on high alert after a wide move resulted in Ash Handley being defended by Scott Galeano and Jon Bennison, but on Leeds’ next attacking set, following a knock-on from Toa Mata’afa, Leeds found the try line. Sparked into life as a Cody Hunter pass was intercepted by Ryan Hall, the Rhinos pushed wide to Lumb for an easy finish in the corner, despite contention that the winger had touched the sideline as he went to ground the ball. Quickly adding a second score as Lumb rose highest to take a Connor kick, the visitors had a convincing lead after 13 minutes that they never lost through to the final whistle.

Knowing that a win would send them back to the top of the Betfred Super League following Wigan’s win on Friday night, the Rhinos continued to pile on the first-half points to take the score to 24 points after as many minutes. Catching the York defence short on players down the left-hand side, Ash Handley expertly put Lumb into clean space to create another Leeds chance, before the winger passed inside for Chris Hankinson to finish for his ninth try of the year. Kallum Watkins also got in on the scoring efforts with his third score of the season after 18 minutes. A holding-down penalty against Presley Cassell was exploited by the away side as Connor’s cultured boot on the last tackle allowed Harry Newman to push the ball back into the hands of Watkins to score Leeds’ fourth of the game. Connor converted to make the score 24-0 after 20 minutes.

York were overwhelmed by Leeds’ superior attack and came unstuck once more following a promising half-break by Jesse Dee. After receiving the ball back, Connor’s 40/20 kick gave Leeds possession in good scoring range once again, and Oledzki forced his way under the posts to keep the scoreline ticking over. The introduction of Cameron Smith also brought points as one of the loose forward’s first touches set Miller away for a straightforward score under the posts, despite York’s best efforts to chase the full back down.

A frantic first half finally allowed the Knights to catch their breath, and new recruit Tom Doyle helped set the home side up for what they thought was their first try of the afternoon. A 40/20 from the hooker gave the home side possession inside Leeds’ 20-metre area for the first time, and as Cody Hunter poked his nose through a gap, the half back offloaded for Sam Wood to crash over, but the score was overturned for an obstruction by Oli Field before his team-mate took Hunter’s pass to break the line.

Newman was also denied a score as Brodie Croft released Smith to set up the Leeds centre, but the pass was called forward by referee Liam Moore, and the Rhinos still held a confident 36-0 lead at the break.

The 36-point lead quickly moved to 40 as the teams emerged after half-time. Justin Sangare’s optimistic offload as the prop took in the first carry of the half handed Leeds the first true attacking set after the break, and debutant Matt Lodge marked his Rhinos debut with a hard carry through the York defence.

The Knights finally produced a response when Paul McShane’s kick was collected in the air by Wood to get the home side’s first points of the afternoon, but the Rhinos missed a major opportunity to respond as a half-break by Croft couldn’t find Miller in support.

Nevertheless, the Leeds scoreline still continued to tick over thanks to winger Ryan Hall. Having been denied a week ago for a foot in touch, the winger ensured he scored a well converted scrum play following a knock on by Jon Bennison. Shifting quickly to the right, Miller was too quick for the Knights defence as Hall took his full back’s pass to finish in the corner to make the score 46-6.

On the opposite wing, Lumb completed his hat-trick as Leeds moved beyond the 50-point mark before Croft also got in on the try-scoring effort. The half back and Miller had combined for a promising break in the build-up to the try, but as Wood fumbled the ball inside the grasp of Hall, Leeds had a chance to keep their attack flowing. Working the left side well, a quick shift in the opposite direction caught the Knights short on numbers as Croft waltzed over with under 20 minutes to go. Hankinson’s conversion made the score 56-6.

A consolation effort from Jon Bennison saw the winger find a second score for the home side, who started to test Leeds despite the scoreline. Hingano and Field worked the short side before the Knights kept the ball alive on the right edge to create half a chance, before a quick shift allowed Hunter to kick ahead and put David Nofoaluma over as he returned to the Knights squad.

With minutes remaining, Handley and Hankinson crowned the game with fantastic efforts. Handley chanced a kick ahead and managed to collect it himself to score a fabulous solo effort, before another Connor kick helped set up Hankinson to close out the contest. Causing havoc with the scrum half’s kick, Nofoaluma was unable to reclaim the ball under pressure from Hall, who collected the loose ball and dumped it out of the tackle for Hankinson to seal the win. Miller couldn’t convert from out wide, but the away side still took home a commanding 66-16 final score.

Teams

Knights

1. Toa Mata’afa, 23. Jon Bennison, 5. Scott Galeano, 4. Sam Wood, 46. David Nofoaluma, 9. Paul McShane, 37. Cody Hunter, 8. Jack Martin, 46. Tom Inman, 15. Xavier Va’a, 12. Jesse Dee, 20. Oli Field, 6. Ata Hingano

Subs: 50. Tom Doyle, 13. Jordan Thompson, 16. Justin Sangare, 14. Denive Balmforth (18th Man – 27. Matty Foster)

Tries: Wood (46), Bennison (69), Nofoaluma (74)

Goals: Bennison 1/3

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 22. Riley Lumb, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Ash Handley (C), 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Jake Connor, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Cooper Jenkins, 14. Chris Hankinson, 11. Kallum Watkins, 20. Presley Cassell

Subs: 10. Tom Holroyd, 17. Cameron Smith, 30. Zak Lloyd, 31. Matt Lodge (18th Man – 26. Tom Nicholson-Watton)

Tries: Lumb (7, 13, 58), Hankinson (14, 79), Watkins (18), Oledzki (25), Miller (27), Lodge (43), Hall (57), Croft (63), Handley (77)

Goals: Connor 4/4, Hankinson 5/7, Miller 1/1