Rhinos too strong for Giants

Jamie Jones-Buchanan runs into Jamahl Lolesi

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Ryan Hall and Brent Webb scored twice for Leeds as they defeated Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield 30-10 at the Galpharm Stadium.

A crowd of 15,629, a new Super League record for the Giants, couldn't roar the home side to glory as they were ripped apart by the Rhinos.

Having reached the play-offs last year, hopes are high heading into 2008 that Jon Sharp's squad can once again be challenging for a top-six finish.

However, Leeds followed up their hard-fought win over Hull KR last weekend with a much more comprehensive performance on their travels.

Hero Hall

Hall certainly played his part in helping the visitors pick up two points as he showed his qualities with two excellent long-range finishes.

His opener came when he accepted an offload from Ali Lauitiiti before sprinting 60 metres to get Leeds' fourth try of the opening half.

The young winger trumped that effort with a stunning second shortly after the break, this time scooping up a loose ball to dash 90 metres to the line.

Hall's brace justified the decision of coach Brian McLennan to select him in front of Lee Smith, who had scored twice to turnaround a deficit against the Robins six days earlier.

Webb also helped himself to a double, both coming in the first half and both times from excellent Danny McGuire grubber kicks.

Stand-off McGuire also showed his skills with the ball in hand when his well-timed pass sent fit-again second-rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan through a gap and over the line.

Lone reply

Huddersfield's only reply in the first 40 minutes came from Rod Jensen, the left winger fishing powerfully out wide.

He was later denied a second by a last-ditch tackle from Webb, showing the Kiwi was just as strong in defence as he is lethal in attack.

Luke Robinson, one of four debutants for the new-look Giants, did give Huddersfield brief hope of a comeback when he went over for a solo try just after the hour-mark.

Chris Thorman added the goal, but in truth the gap was too big for the hosts to overturn, particularly against a solid Leeds defence.

A Rob Burrow penalty provided the final points of a game to add to four successful kicks from Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield.