Super 8s: Leeds Rhinos 44-2 Salford Red Devils

Liam Sutcliffe, who has been with Leeds since 2012, scored their opening try against Salford

Salford's hopes of a place in the Super League play-offs were ended by a crushing defeat at Leeds Rhinos.

The Rhinos, who have already qualified for a home semi-final, led 16-2 at half-time thanks to Liam Sutcliffe, Danny McGuire and Tom Briscoe tries.

Matt Parcell scored twice in seven minutes after the break, while Adam Cuthbertson also went over.

Antony Mullally and Brett Ferres put the seal on a thumping victory with two tries in three minutes.

The visitors, who ended an eight-game losing streak with last week's victory over Huddersfield, scored the game's first points through Gareth O'Brien's penalty.

But Rhinos scored two tries in the first 17 minutes, the second of which saw Rob Burrow, who will retire at the end of the season, set up McGuire.

Parcell scored two tries from off the bench in the second half.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott: "I've got to say Tom Briscoe, and you all know where he's been this year, that type of performance under that amount of pressure is not to be sniffed at.

"Every team kicks to him and he's answered all the questions over the last two months. He's had a pretty good offensive game as well.

"What he's demonstrated is he's an unbelievably strong character. He's got nerves of steel. That was the best game he's had for us for about two years."

Salford coach Ian Watson: "I've learned miles more in the Super 8s than I did last year when we were in the Million Pound Game and even this season when we were winning.

"The top four has gone for us but the fact that we've stuck in and still been in with a chance with two games to go is big progress.

"We've had a bad run of late but that doesn't tell the full story of how far we've come as a team."

Leeds: Golding, Briscoe, Watkins, L. Sutcliffe, Hall, Moon, McGuire, Garbutt, Burrow, Cuthbertson, Ward, Jones-Buchanan, Singleton.

Replacements: Mullally, Delaney, Parcell, Ferres.

Salford: Evalds, Bibby, Murdoch-Masila, Sa'u, Vatuvei, Lui, O'Brien, Kopczak, Tomkins, Hauraki, Jones, Griffin, McCarthy.

Replacements: Lannon, A. Walne, J. Walne, Brinning.

Referee: Liam Moore.