Rhinos enjoy Widnes romp
Leeds Rhinos had no problems inflicting a fourth straight defeat on Widnes Vikings with a 44-16 victory on Sunday.
Last Updated: 26/02/12 4:49pm
Leeds Rhinos had no problems inflicting a fourth straight defeat on Widnes Vikings on Sunday, with the Super League champions running out 44-16 winners.
The newly-crowned world champions ran in eight tries including a brace from Ben Jones-Bishop, Rob Burrow and Ryan Hall.
Widnes still wait for a first win back in Super League but it was a gutsy display by the Vikings who have now lost their last five matches against Leeds since 2003.
Leeds rested Jamie Peacock, who received an MBE at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, with Ryan Bailey, Chris Clarkson and Jamie Jones-Buchanan also out.
Rhino charge
The Rhinos burst into life early to grab three tries in five minutes and surge into an 18-0 lead.
Jones-Bishop began the spree by finishing off a spectacular 90 metre move started by Brent Webb and then took a return pass from Danny McGuire to finish off in style in the 17th minute.
Then Burrow scampered over after Ryan Hall had been stopped by Paddy Flynn and Shaun Briscoe.
Burrow added his second from McGuire's pass with Widnes having no answer to the Rhinos' pace.
But Widnes hit back with two tries in three minutes with Patrick Ah Van taking Rhys Hanbury's long pass to go over in the corner with the Rhinos defence stretched.
A touch of good fortune saw Ah Van's kick rebound off Carl Ablett for the winger to put Hanbury over and cut the gap to 18-10.
Brace
Jones-Bishop notched his second try following smart play from Burrow and Kallum Watkins to fire Leeds ahead 22-10 at half-time before McGuire was denied a try by Anthony Mullally's tackle.
Sinfield was held up over the line by more determined Widnes defence, but there was no denying Hall after 50 minutes with the winger going over from Webb's pass.
Widnes fans applauded the Vikings' gutsy effort, but a deflection off a defender gave Hardaker his first try of the season from Paul McShane's looping pass and Sinfield landed the touchline conversion on the hour.
Flynn deserved his try for an enthusiastic show 10 minutes from time with Ah Van's touchline conversion make it 34-16 before Watkins added the Rhinos seventh try.
McGuire unselfishly kicked ahead for Hall to bag his second try in the 76th minute and complete the rout.
