Rhinos thrash Dragons

Leeds will head to Wembley for next Saturday's Challenge Cup final against Warrington in confident frame of mind after thrashing Catalans Dragons 52-6 at Headingley.

Danny McGuire starred with a hat-trick against the Super League strugglers, with his first try coming in the fourth minute.

The in-form playmaker then proceeded to come up with two brilliant long-range efforts as the Rhinos made light work of their woeful opponents.

McGuire was not the only Leeds player to claim a treble, however, with Ryan Hall joining him in performing the feat. Rob Burrow, Lee Smith and Brett Delaney also touched down for the home side.

Although Leeds have won an unprecedented three Super League titles in as many years, they have not tasted cup success since 1999 - a return which has been reflected in the obvious desire they have shown in this year's competition.

The Wolves will doubtless offer far greater challenge than the Dragons did, but the cup holders might still find McGuire difficult to stop if his latest performance was anything to go by.

His first try came after a delightful one-two with Smith before the stand-off ran clear down the right flank.

Momentum was with Brian McClennan's men and in the 12th minute their second try arrived when Brent Webb's clever pass sent Hall over in the left corner.

Clever

Their third arrived four minutes later when Keith Senior cleverly sent Burrow darting over from close range.

The Dragons' defence was breached once more in the 19th minute when Webb broke out from full-back before teeing up Hall to cross once more in the left corner.

Les Catalans finally put points on the board in the 25th minute when Casey McGuire went over from close range, his try converted by Thomas Bosc.

The traffic became one-way once more in the 34th minute, however, when McGuire raced clear from inside his own half and past the visiting defence.

Smith went over shortly before the break to score Leeds' sixth try - the only one which skipper Kevin Sinfield failed to convert.

Hall crossed for his hat-trick in the 48th minute - again in the left corner - with Sinfield this time finding the target.

The Rhinos' eighth try came eight minutes later, with Delaney reacting quickest to the loose ball before touching down, and Sinfield again converted.

Although Catalans matched their hosts in terms of physical presence they were nowhere near Leeds in terms of skill.

McGuire's performance demonstrated as much, and on the hour he collected a pass from Senior before sprinting 70 metres for another brilliant individual effort underneath the posts.

Sinfield kicked his eighth goal from nine attempts as the Rhinos completed the rout of the Dragons, who had David Ferriol sin-binned late on.