Super League: Leeds Rhinos too strong for London Broncos at Headingley
Leeds Rhinos continued their fine form at Headingley on Friday with a comfortable 30-6 success over London Broncos.
Last Updated: 12/04/13 9:59pm
Joel Moon crossed twice for the champions with Zak Hardaker, Danny McGuire and Kallum Watkins also scoring while Alex Hurst bagged a late consolation for the visitors.
The damp conditions would work in their favour for the opening score, though, with McGuire's sliding kick sitting up nicely for Moon in the eighth minute. Captain Kevin Sinfield added the extras from wide out.
Despite conditions Leeds were doing their best to be expansive and Watkins had joy down the right, skinning opposite number Kieran Dixon but, with support lacking as he broke clear, his hack ahead was mopped up by full-back Hurst.
With chances at a premium Sinfield took the opportunity to split the posts with a 21st-minute penalty, but McGuire was not as ruthless shortly after when he broke through but chose to go alone instead of passing and was quickly scragged down.
Close
It took London - who lost hooker Chad Randall to a first-minute leg injury - until the 36th minute to even look like scoring - Chris Melling's kick ahead too heavy for Tommy Lee - but they still went into the half-time interval well in the game.
That would change three minutes after the resumption, however, as Moon snapped up a short Sinfield pass to drag himself over, with the provider slotting the extras from close to the touchline.
A 14-point cushion looked sufficient against London's non-existent attack and when Hardaker dotted down a Paul McShane kick for his first try since breaking a thumb in February, the game was up, Sinfield's conversion taking the lead out to 20.
Leeds had the luxury of sending on young forward Brad Singleton for some valuable experience and he was soon making an impact too as he broke through to send McGuire in under the posts, with Sinfield converting his half-back partner's fourth of the season.
Only some smart work from Hurst stopped Rob Burrow turning a jet-heeled break into another score, before the full-back took in Craig Gower's pass for London's try.
The last word would go to Leeds, though, with Watkins on the spot to tidy up after London made a hash of gathering a loose ball, with Sinfield's first miss of the night following.