Leeds Rhinos returned to winning ways at the John Smith’s Stadium in round 19 of the Betfred Super League as six tries saw Brad Arthur’s side take a commanding 34-6 result away against Huddersfield Giants.

Brad Arthur welcomed James Bentley back to his side for the trip to Huddersfield in one of two changes. The forward came onto the bench for the first time since the win over Castleford back in March, whilst Alfie Edgell was given his chance to return onto the wing, where he partnered Harry Newman in the absence of David Fusitu’a.

Leeds came out firing from the off to get a try quickly on the board. Forcing a drop out from the kick off, the Rhinos probed the try line before Matt Frawley’s kick for the corner saw Ash Handley rise above Aidan McGowan to collect the ball and score. The video referee took a second look and confirmed the try.

Huddersfield took five minutes to produce their response; Jake Connor dabbed a kick in behind for Aidan McGowan to chase and as Lachie Miller could not clear the ball out of play, McGowan had a straightforward finish.

Leeds didn’t let themselves get bogged down as they looked to build off Huddersfield mistakes. Paul Momirovski managed to get a hold of a loose offload by the Giants to see the centre race downfield, but was caught short of the line. Keeping on the pressure, James McDonnell looked to have made the breakthrough but video referee Liam Moore overturned the call for a double movement.

Both sides were clearly in a contest as hits came in from all directions and chances went begging. A clever scrum play saw Croft’s kick just miss the hands of Handley, whilst Huddersfield had a try for Wallis chalked off as he dropped the ball trying to finish acrobatically in the corner. An opportunistic play from Harry Newman though regained Leeds the lead, the centre pouncing after Connor knocked on a kick from Frawley. Martin converted to take the score to 12-6 with five minutes left.

Although time was against them, the Rhinos managed to get a third try before the break courtesy of former Giant Frawley. Martin architected the play as he smuggled an offload away for Lachie Miller to break free, and Frawley was there in support to give the Rhinos a 18-6 lead at the break.

The score remained 18-6 for the majority of the second half as both sides tussled to get an important first score of the half. Captain Cam Smith and Alfie Edgell both came within metres of the line in the best of Leeds’ efforts, whilst the Giants tried to respond with a half break from Wallis, but the winger’s attempted kick sailed out of bounds.

There was a welcomed return to the field too for Bentley, who settled into the contest to help Leeds make a breakthrough.

Close to the hour mark, that breakthrough came in the shape of Handley, who finished a spectacular effort in the corner. To the dismay of the Giants fans, the try was awarded by the video referee as the Rhinos opened up an 16-point lead on the scoreboard.

Huddersfield stayed in the game despite the scoreboard, but Croft delivered the sucker-punch blow with twelve minutes to go. Utilising a knock on Jake Bibby to their advantage, Leeds used Miller to threaten as the full back danced across the field, but it was Croft who had the key as he used his footwork to step back inside and touch down with ten minutes to go.

With the side home and dry, there was one last flourish from the Rhinos in the closing stages as Lachie Miller found a gap to dart through and score in back to back matches to ensure the win was coming back to Headingley, despite a late sin binning for Sam Lisone. Martin was good with the boot from in front of the posts to secure a 34-6 final score.

Match Facts

Giants

1. Jake Connor, 20. Elliot Wallis, 24. Sam Halsall, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 30. Aidan McGowan, 6. Tui Lolohea, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Chris Hill, 9. Adam Milner, 15. Matty English, 5. Jake Bibby, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 16. Harry Rushton

Subs: 14. Ashton Golding, 23. Olly Russell, 26. Hugo Salabio, 25. Fenton Rogers (18^th Man – 28. Jack Bibby)

Tries: McGowan (10)

Goals: Connor 1/1

Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 29. Alfie Edgell, 4. Paul Momirovski, 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 36. Sam Eseh Jr, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith (C)

Subs: 11. James Bentley, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 25. James Donaldson (18th Man – 21. Jack Sinfield)

Tries: Handley (2, 58), Newman (35), Frawley (37), Croft (68), Miller (74)

Goals: Martin 5/6 

Sin Bin - Sam Lisone (76)