Challenge Cup: Leeds 48-16 Huddersfield

Holders Leeds scored eight tries against Huddersfield at Headingley as they eased into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Kallum Watkins scored twice before Ryan Hall and Paul Aiton touched down for the home side inside 20 minutes.

Hall's second try plus efforts from Danny McGuire, Carl Ablett and Adam Cuthbertson gave Leeds control in the second half.

Kyle Wood, Brett Ferres and Scott Grix got on the scoresheet for Huddersfield.

The home side dominated the early play and Watkins went over twice in eight minutes, first collecting the ball following an error by Grix to run in from 80 yards, before taking the recalled Kevin Sinfield's one-handed offload moments later to go over.

Three minutes later Hall found space on the left, following good work from Stevie Ward and Zak Hardaker, to score the Rhinos' third try, and Aiton rounded off a commanding 20 minutes by reacting first to touch down after the ball hit a Huddersfield player, came off the post and went loose.

Five minutes before the end of the half, Wood capped a sustained period of Giants pressure after back-to-back sets by powering over from close range for his third try in 26 appearances.

Referee Phil Bentham had to be replaced at the break after pulling his hamstring.

But any hope Huddersfield had of replicating their 24-24 draw in the Super League match between the sides at the end of April, having trailed 22-6, were extinguished early in the second half as McGuire started and finished off an impressive move from a scrum, touching down following a one-handed offload by Hall.

Australian prop Cuthbertson took a pass from Rob Burrow to score Leeds' sixth try which was instantly followed by Hall's second, finishing off a break from McGuire.

Huddersfield half-back Danny Brough twice worked his way to the line before offloading to Ferres and Grix for consolation tries.

But there was just enough time left for Ablett to score under the posts in his 250th career appearance after intercepting Brough's attempted pass to ease Leeds through to the last eight.

Leeds head coach Brian McDermott:

"In the games that Kevin Sinfield has missed, he's not been that far away.

"He's conducted himself impeccably, been a pro and it makes it an easier transition for him to come back in.

"Danny Maguire was very good today and Kevin's influence on the game was big as well, both players ensured we stuck what we planned to do."

Huddersfield head coach Paul Anderson:

"They basically ran harder and had more vigour in everything they did than we did.

"I don't think there was any way back after the first five minutes.

"At half-time we spoke about the fact we'd been here before. But it was too much for us today. They were better than us in all departments."

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Handley, Watkins, Moon, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Cuthbertson, Aiton, Peacock, S. Ward, Ablett, Delaney.

Replacements: Walters, Achurch, Singleton, Burrow.

Huddersfield: Grix, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy, Brough, Wood, Crabtree, Robinson, Huby, Ferres, Hughes, Ta'ai.

Replacements: Lawrence, Kopczak, Mullally, Ellis.

Attendance: 8,133

Referee: Phil Bentham (RFL)