Rhinos run riot at Jungle

Leeds put a dent in Castleford's play-off hopes with a resounding 38-6 triumph at the Jungle, though the win came at a price for the Rhinos.

The reigning Super League champions saw a bloodied Luke Burgess stretchered off in the closing minutes after taking a shoulder charge.

By then Jamie Peacock had already hobbled off the field, giving Leeds a serious scare with the Carnegie Challenge Cup final coming up on August 28.

The two injuries ruined an otherwise excellent night for the Rhinos, with winger Ryan Hall crossing twice to help them ease past the Tigers.

Excellent build-up

Having already gone close through Scott Donald, the visitors broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Chris Clarkson - filling in for the rested Kevin Sinfield - finished off some excellent build-up play by Greg Eastwood and Danny McGuire.

The in-form McGuire, Leeds' hero in their thrilling semi-final win over St Helens last weekend, then carried the Rhinos into double figures.

The stand-off superbly supported Matt Diskin and, after accepting the hooker's inside pass, threw an outrageous dummy to get to the line.

Having seen his half-back partner decide to go it alone rather than pass for Leeds' second try, Rob Burrow eventually got his name on the scoresheet just before the half-hour mark, ducking underneath two tacklers to break clear.

Handed the kicking duties in Sinfield's absence, Lee Smith converted all three scores to give Leeds a commanding 18-0 half-time lead.

Any faint hopes Castleford had of mounting a comeback disappeared nine minutes after the re-start when Ali Lauitiiti touched down on the right.

The New Zealander was set up by a fine break from Paul McShane out on the right, though he could consider himself slightly lucky to still be on the field after only being placed on report for a high shot on Stuart Jones.

A careless pass from Ryan McGoldrick gifted Hall his first of the night, the winger's intercept score leaving Smith with a simple conversion.

Donald enjoyed an equally easy run-in as Leeds piled on the misery for the hosts, Brent Webb's cut-out pass sending the Australian cantering over out wide on the right.

Hobbled off

Peacock hobbled off in considerable pain with around 15 minutes to play before the Tigers at least made sure they wouldn't be shut out on home soil.

Steve Snitch seized on Rangi Chase's grubber kick to draw ironic cheers from the home crowd, with Joe Westerman adding the extras.

However Leeds made sure they had the last word when Lauitiiti's pass allowed England international Hall to complete his brace in the left corner.

On the following re-start there was a shuddering shoulder charge from young Castleford prop Jonathan Walker that left fellow forward Burgess flat out on the turf with blood streaming from his mouth.

The young Rhino needed a lengthy period of treatment on the field before being carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace, a sad end to an otherwise excellent night for Brian McClennan's troops.