A confident seven-try performance saw Leeds Rhinos dispatch neighbours Castleford Tigers 38-24 at AMT Headingley Stadium as the Rhinos picked up their second win of the new season.

The home side were up for the contest from the very first minute to put up three unanswered first half tries, before adding four more in the second period to take home the league points despite a late Tigers revival.

The losses of Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley and Cameron Smith to injury meant that Brad Arthur had to shuffle his side around from the one that beat Salford in round two.  Croft’s return from concussion protocol and Frawley’s hand injury against the Red Devils meant that the Rhinos went with young pair Morgan Gannon and Jack Sinfield in the halves, whilst Mikolaj Oledzki’s return to the squad from concussion was opportune as the prop was in from the start. Keenan Palasia looked to back up a strong performance last time out as he moved into the vacant loose forward spot.

Alfie Edgell was the only change on the bench.

Leeds dominated the game from kick off as they settled into the local derby clash. The Rhinos’ first attacking chance of the game came after an error from Tex Hoy invited Jake Connor to test the Tigers defence with a kick in behind, but they couldn’t make the chance count on the scoreboard. Riley Lumb also looked to have a walk-in try but couldn’t hold onto Jack Sinfield’s pass, before the winger then dropped the ball in the act of scoring as the Rhinos came closer to the opening try.

Finally the home crowd were given something to shout about as Connor scored a spectacular solo effort. Dancing his way back across the Castleford defensive line, the full back managed to find a hole to slice through and get the ball over the line despite Castleford’s best efforts. One try quickly became two shortly after as Keenan Palasia burst through a hole to score his first try for the club to take the score to 12-0.

The Tigers grew into the latter stages of the half but to no reward as they struggled to find their rhythm with two tries already conceded. Leeds on the other hand made sure they kept the scoreboard ticking over as Harry Newman connected onto a grubber kick from Ash Handley to make the score 18-0 at the break.

Leeds picked up where they left off after their half time team talk from head coach Arthur as three tries before the hour mark all-but ended the contest.

Exploiting the Tigers' defensive shortage out wide, Ryan Hall was given too much space and the winger conjured a kick ahead for Connor, who collected and unselfishly put Jack Sinfield over for his first try of the year in a fantastic start to the second half. Handley also got in on the act as another quick shift found the Leeds skipper in too much room and it was an easy finish. Connor converted one of the two tries to make the score 28-0.

Castleford had a moment to celebrate as youngster Fletcher Rooney backed up George Lawler’s break to get points on the board for the away side, but Leeds quickly responded in style to close in on 40 points.

Handley was once again the creator as he tore past Sam Wood to go into the backfield, and despite a poor pass, James Bentley and Sinfield connected to put Hall over for tries in successive games. Lumb also got in on the act after being denied in the first half to give the home side a 32 points advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

McGuire’s side rallied in the closing stages to score three tries through Zac Cini, Jeremiah Simbiken, and Innes Senior, giving their supporters something to cheer about, but the final whistle confirmed the Rhinos’ second win of the season as they took home a 38-24 result.

Teams

Rhinos

18. Jake Connor, 23. Riley Lumb, 4. Ash Handley (CC), 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ryan Hall, 20. Jack Sinfield, 16. Morgan Gannon, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 17. Cooper Jenkins, 11. James Bentley, 12. James McDonnell, 10. Keenan Palasia

Subs: 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 19. Tom Holroyd, 21. Alfie Edgell (18^th Man – 22. Tom Nicholson-Watton)

Tries: Connor (24), Palasia (27), Newman (37), Sinfield (41), Handley (48), Hall (57), Lumb (65)

Goals: Connor 5/7

Tigers

23. Fletcher Rooney, 37. Lee Kershaw, 4. Sam Wood (C), 3. Zac Cini, 5. Innes Senior, 1. Tex Hoy, 6. Daejarn Asi, 21. Sylvester Namo, 9. Liam Horne, 10. George Lawler, 11. Jeremiah Simbiken, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Westerman

Subs: 14. Judah Rimbu, 15. George Griffin, 26. George Hill, 20. Muizz Mustapha, (18^th Man – 17. Luke Hooley)

Tries: Rooney (52), Cini (72), Simbiken (77), Senior (78)

Goals: Hoy 4/4

Download the official team sheet by clicking here.