Quins routed by Rhinos

The battle of Super League's early pace-setters turned out to be a one-sided affair as Leeds ran riot against Harlequins at Headingley Carnegie.

The Rhinos put last weekend's surprise defeat to Castleford behind them as they ran in eight tries in a 48-0 thrashing, condemning the Londoners to their second defeat after a four-match winning run.

Rob Burrow grabbed the 100th try of his Leeds career while Jamie Peacock, Jordan Tansey, Brent Webb, Nick Scruton, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Luke Burgess and Ben Kaye all touched down for the home side as they secured their fifth win in six Super League matches.

Kevin Sinfield converted all eight tries as the champions moved two points clear at the top of the table.

Lacking creativity

Second-placed Quins missed the creativity of the injured Henry Paul and Scott Hill and spent virtually the whole of the match on the back foot.

The Rhinos quickly shrugged off their 38-20 defeat at Castleford, running in two tries in the first 10 minutes, and they doubled their score by half-time, when they led 24-0.

Without six members of their Grand Final-winning team through injury and suspension, Leeds gave debuts to teenage hooker Kaye and rugby union convert Simon Worrall, while prop Burgess made an impressive home debut.

The champions' strength in depth was in evidence as early as the seventh minute when Kaye's short pass enabled second rower Jones-Buchanan to crash over for the first try of the match.

A wonderful pass out of the tackle by Ryan Bailey got Peacock romping through a gap for a second and Sinfield extended his scoring run to 47 successive matches with both conversions.

Donald break

Substitute Tansey scored with his first touch of the ball, supporting a break by winger Scott Donald on 27 minutes, and Burgess sent full-back Webb over for a fourth try just before the break after juggling with the ball.

Sinfield maintained his accuracy to land two more conversions and give his side a comfortable lead by the break.

It was the same story in the second half, as Leeds dominated possession and territory with the Londoners' defence living a charmed life at times.

The Rhinos extended their lead when substitute prop Scruton bulldozed his way through the fragile Harlequins defence and eventually stumbled over the line.

Leeds looked dangerous with every move and it was no surprise when Donald scooted down the left wing and Burrow was in support to take the final pass and register his 100th try.

There was an equally popular score 10 minutes from the end when young Burgess, who had a loan spell with Quins last season, powered over for his first try for the club and Kaye followed suit just before the end.

Sinfield maintained his 100% record by landing his eighth goal as the Rhinos kept the pressure up right to the end.

Even when Harlequins finally managed to string together a potent attacking move, centre David Howell spilled the ball over the line to sum up his side's misery.