Rhinos rout Tigers

Leeds' final home game of the regular Super League season has resulted in a 54-12 thrashing of Castleford, the Rhinos scoring 10 tries in all.

Substitute Jordan Tansey scored a second-half hat-trick as the reigning champions turned on the style against the bottom club and clinched themselves a top-two finish.

The Rhinos had eight different try scorers as they eased to a victory which sees them draw level with leaders St Helens, who visit Harlequins on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Castleford shipped a half-century of points for the fifth time this year and now appear certain to collect the wooden spoon.

The Tigers suffered a setback prior to the match when a foot injury ruled out experienced scrum-half Brent Sherwin.

And they were one man down after less than three minutes when hooker Scott Moore was sin-binned for a late tackle on Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield.

Making only his second appearance of the season in the absence of leading tryscorer Scott Donald, winger Ashley Gibson immediately took advantage and squeezed over at the corner for his first try in almost 18 months.

The Tigers were still only 12 strong when Danny McGuire fed half-back partner Rob Burrow for Leeds' second, but the return of Moore helped halt the one-way traffic.

Reward

Indeed, Castleford went on the offensive and were rewarded halfway through the opening period when right winger Richard Owen took Luke Dorn's long pass before crossing at the corner, the try being converted by Kirk Dixon.

But, with Gareth Ellis leading the way on what could be his final appearance at Headingley, Leeds then regained the initiative to the extent that three further tries were scored before half time.

First, makeshift centre Carl Ablett sent Lee Smith over, the winger then returning the favour after taking Sinfield's high kick.

Then, Ali Lauitiiti touched down after bulldozing his way through on a 10-metre run to the line - the second rower having another try disallowed for obstruction.

The Rhinos' half-time lead would have been even more emphatic had Sinfield not missed three conversions, but that hardly seemed to matter as the home side extended their lead after the interval.

Their sixth try came after 46 minutes when replacement hooker Tansey raced onto Burrow's perfectly-judged grubber kick.

Sinfield this time converted for 30-6 but rather than step up another gear, the Rhinos' play entered a sloppy phase.

However, Castleford could not respond and Leeds' free-scoring ways soon returned when a superb offload from Ablett found Brent Webb, the full-back's pace doing the rest.

Sinfield converted but Castleford soon rallied and pulled a try back after 65 minutes through stand-off Ryan McGoldrick.

But there were still two more Leeds tries to come, the first coming when Burrow sent McGuire over.

Slick passing then allowed Tansey the chance to score his second try - Sinfield converting his sixth - before the same player sprinted 80 minutes for an interception try to complete his hat-trick.

Given the occasion, it was perhaps fitting that Ellis completed the scoreline with the final conversion.