Super League: Hull KR 10-44 Leeds Rhinos

Joel Moon scores for Leeds against Hull KR

Leeds Rhinos stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches with a comfortable away victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.

The Rhinos took an early lead when Ryan Hall squeezed in at the corner.

Rovers replied when Michael Dobson's short pass gave Cory Paterson the chance to crash over.

But Leeds stretched away with further first-half tries from Brett Delaney, Zak Hardaker and Mitch Achurch, and second-half efforts from Joel Moon, Callum Watkins (2) and Ian Kirke.

The Rhinos, with two games in hand, remain four points adrift of Wigan at the top of the table.

Hall opened the scoring after Rovers loan man Luke George spilled the ball and Hardaker sent Hall over in the left-hand corner.

Dobson then created an opening for Paterson to charge his way over, but after Rhinos' half-back Danny McGuire's initial kick was blocked and bounced back into his hands, he sent Delaney over close to the posts.

Leeds then turned the screw with two tries shortly before half-time. Hardaker was brilliantly set up by Rob Burrow's clever kick, and Mitch Achurch was sent over by Paul McShane.

The second half saw Moon tease the Rovers defence with a couple of "show-and-go's" on his way over the line from 40 metres out.

Carl Ablett then did the hard work to send winger Watkins away for the score before Kirke found a way over to add to the home side's misery.

Greg Eden's kick was grounded by Omari Caro for Rovers, but Watkins strolled through the KR defence from 65 metres out to score the final try of the game.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Leeds coach Brian McDermott:

"I wouldn't say we are in form. Results might suggest that, but I don't think we're where we need to be. We defended really well but we have to be better.

"There are better teams than us with the ball and we have to change that. This was tougher than the scoreboard suggests.

"We played against a strong wind in the first half. Hull KR had enough pressure on our try-line to make it difficult for us, but we came up with some try-saving periods, which was pleasing.

"I feel we had one or two errors too many offensively when we should have been more clinical. That's down to the decision-making from our halves and outside-backs and that makes it tough."

Hull Kingston Rovers coach Craig Sandercock:

"The play-the-ball speed was ridiculously slow and we couldn't get a quick one. Leeds' lines were set and their line speed was unbelievable, and full credit to them.

"The score didn't reflect how hard we played and how competitive we were, but that's rugby league.

"Leeds have some class players and they can hurt you at any time of the game. We are disappointed because we came here thinking we could win.

"When things go against us and we are under the pump, we need to react a little better. If we can do that, we can hopefully get through the other side."

SUNDAY'S TEAMS

Hull KR: Eden; Caro, Salter, George, D Hodgson; Burns, Dobson; Paea, J Hodgson, Walker, Lovegrove, Paterson, Griffin.

Replacements: Withers, Mika, Beaumont, Green

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Watkins, Ablett, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Sinfield, Leuluai, Burrow, Peacock, Ward, Delaney, Jones-Buchanan.

Replacements: McShane, Kirke, Achurch, Clarkson.

Attendance: 8,122.

Referee: Rob Hicks (Oldham).