Leeds re‑asserted their dominance in the Betfred Super League with a resounding 34‑6 win at the Brewdog Stadium on Friday, propelling the Rhinos back to the summit of the table. The performance was a masterclass in attacking rugby, as Leeds crossed the try line six times, effectively halting the recent surge of the Saints and consigning the Merseyside side to a position outside the play‑off places with only two rounds left in the campaign. The match got off to a brisk start when Chris Hankinson, receiving a cleverly timed pass from Jake Connor, touched down after just seven minutes, giving Brad Arthur’s side an early advantage.
The momentum swung decisively in Leeds’ favour when Cameron Smith and Harry Newman each added a try in quick succession before the half‑time whistle, cementing a comfortable lead and leaving the Saints scrambling to find any foothold. Leeds continued to pile on the pressure after the break. Ryan Hall showcased his experience with a brilliant flick from the back of his hand, allowing the veteran winger to glide over for his own try.
Ash Handley then benefited from a delicate grubber kick that Connor deliberately placed behind the defensive line, while Brodie Croft capped the scoring onslaught with a try that came after Connor’s perfectly timed kick into the corner post‑restart. Connor himself was instrumental throughout, converting five of the six Leeds tries and adding two successful penalty kicks, although his final attempt struck the post.
The Rhinos’ victory was a stark contrast to the drama unfolding elsewhere in the league. Wigan had earlier thrashed Hull KR, pushing the champions further up the standings and setting the stage for Leeds’ decisive encounter. Meanwhile, the Saints, who had been enjoying a brief revival under interim coach Eamon O'Carroll with back‑to‑back wins, found their hopes of breaking into the top six severely dented. Their early attempts to get back into the game were thwarted by a resolute Leeds defence; Deon Cross saw two potential tries denied, first by a solid defensive line and then by a forward pass ruling from the referee.
Discipline also played a part in the match narrative. Leeds were reduced to twelve men when Daniel Suluka‑Fifita received a sin‑bin for a late tackle on Presley Cassell, who later passed a head‑injury assessment and returned to the field. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Leeds maintained their composure and continued to dominate possession and territory. Leeds’ tactical execution was evident in the way they built their attacks.
Jack Bird, after an early near‑miss, later delivered a precise pass that set up Hall’s try, illustrating the fluidity of their back‑line movements. On the Saints’ side, Jack Welsby managed a moment of brilliance, breaking away from a Jonny Lomax pass and evading a last‑ditch tackle from Lachie Miller to score, with Tristan Sailor converting. However, this solitary effort was insufficient to change the tide. Beyond the headline result, the round featured several other notable fixtures.
Huddersfield secured a crucial win at the lower end of the table, beating Leigh 30‑18. Cole Geyer was the standout, crossing the line twice as the Giants amassed five tries, moving them to 14 points and pulling ahead of second‑bottom York. Leigh’s Owen Trout opened the scoring early, but Huddersfield responded through Harry Rushton and Taane Milne to establish a 14‑6 halftime lead. The second half saw Niall Evalds add a try for the Giants, while Leigh’s Umyla Hanley and Robbie Mulhern each found the try‑line, though Geyer’s late score sealed the victory for Huddersfield.
In another match, the Catalans Dragons faced Castleford at the latter’s historic ground, marking the Tigers’ centenary of their first match. The game was interrupted for 35 minutes in the second half due to a power outage, but when play resumed the Dragons dominated, finishing 34‑6 winners.
Toby Sexton was instrumental, scoring two tries, while Edenn Rogers‑Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd also contributed to a comfortable eighth‑place finish for Catalans. Castleford’s lone try came from Lazarus Vaalepu, a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night for the home side. The round’s action will be broadcast across Sky Sports platforms, with every Super League match available live this season.
Two games each round are shown exclusively on the main Sky Sports channel, while the remaining fixtures are streamed via Sky Sports+. Overall, Leeds’ commanding victory not only restores them to the top of the league but also sends a clear message to their rivals: the Rhinos are back in form, and the race for the coveted play‑off positions is heating up as the season draws toward its climax.