Rampant Rhinos run riot

Tackled: Webb is wrapped up by Isa

In-form Leeds Rhinos swept aside Castleford Tigers 56-0 for their fifth successive engage Super League victory.

The Rhinos were pushed all the way by Terry Matterson's side in last Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final at the Keepmoat Stadium and needed extra-time to seal a 10-8 golden-point win.

This contest between the rivals was far more one-sided, however, as Leeds maintained their winning run ahead of their Wembley date with Wigan in a fortnight's time.

Castleford have made undeniable progress this season but they looked drained of energy and confidence after last weekend's agonising defeat.

Leeds punished them accordingly, running in first-half tries from Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ryan Hall and Kallum Watkins before seven second-half scores from Brent Webb (two), Ben Jones-Bishop, Ali Lauitiiti, Rob Burrow (two) and Danny McGuire.

Vibrant

The Rhinos were vibrant throughout and almost led inside the second minute following a piece of individual brilliance from Jones-Bishop.

With a combination of searing pace and clever footwork, the rookie full-back raced from deep inside his own half, leaving a clutch of statuesque Castleford defenders in his wake.

He drove at the heart of the visitors' defence, cutting inside the right channel to find Danny Buderus in support with a perfect pass.

The Australian hooker spilled the ball when he looked destined to score and then Hall had a try disallowed before Leeds finally opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Castleford wing Richard Owen inexplicably allowed McGuire's kick to run and Jones-Buchanan pounced to ground the ball.

It quickly got worse for the Tigers as Jones-Buchanan embarked on a brilliant run from deep and sent Hall racing clear.

The hosts struck again in the 27th minute when Burrow sent Watkins over and Kevin Sinfield, having converted all three tries, added a penalty on the stroke of half-time to give his side a 20-0 lead.

That was stretched four minutes after the resumption as Carl Ablett and McGuire combined to send Webb clear inside the left channel.

Two minutes later, Leeds claimed their fifth try when Weller Hauraki conjured a piece of magic, breaking through the Castleford defence at pace and finding Jones-Bishop with an exquisite long pass in the right corner.

The highly-rated youngster did the rest and Sinfield missed his first attempt at goal as his conversion rebounded off a post.

Neat pass

Still, the Rhinos were already well in command and in the 50th minute their sixth try arrived when Lauitiiti collected a neat pass from Sinfield to go over.

Sinfield added the extras but was then replaced and Burrow seized centre stage with a quickfire double, first taking a fine pass from Carl Ablett to go over and then finishing off another astute offload from Buderus.

Burrow converted both of his tries with Sinfield off the field and with eight minutes remaining McGuire touched down for the simplest of scores, taking Leeds' try tally to nine.

Webb made it double figures in the 78th minute from Hall's unselfish pass, although Burrow failed to convert his side's last two tries.