Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos 52-22 Leigh Centurions

Leigh's Peter Mata'utia was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Matt Parcell

Leeds Rhinos thumped Leigh Centurions in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, after the Championship side spent most of the game with 12 men.

Centurions were leading when Peter Mata'utia was sent off on nine minutes for a dangerous tackle on Matt Parcell.

Super League side Rhinos then ran in seven tries to lead 40-12 at the break.

Leigh improved in the second half, but finished the match with 10 players after Jamie Acton was sin-binned and Matty Dawson-Jones was red carded.

It appeared Dawson-Jones said something out of term to referee Chris Kendall moments after Adam Cuthbertson had scored Leeds' ninth try.

Leigh began superbly when Nathan Mason touched down, but the game was turned on its head shortly after.

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Samoan Mata'utia lifted and tipped Parcell, who landed awkwardly, and the referee was left with little choice but to show a red card.

For the rest of the half, Leeds exploited some woeful Centurions defending - 18-year-old Jack Walker running in the pick of the tries from halfway.

The match was played at Featherstone Rovers' ground because of a clash with the Headingley Test match

However, Rhinos' night was soured by Carl Ablett and Jimmy Keinhorst suffering muscle problems, adding to their already lengthy injury-list.

Leeds, who have won the cup 13 times, join Catalans Dragons in the last four after the French side beat Huddersfield on Thursday.

Warrington host Wigan on Saturday, and St Helens play Hull FC on Sunday in the other two semi-finals.

Leeds: Walker, Briscoe, Keinhorst, Handley, Hall, Lilley, Myler, Cuthbertson, Parcell, Oledzki, Ferres, Ward, Ablett.

Replacements: Mullally, Smith, Walters, Golding.

Leigh: Mata'utia, Dawson, Crooks, Hall, Evans, Reynolds, Hutchinson, Acton, Hood, Mason, B Thompson, Hansen, J Thompson.

Replacements: Richards, Higham, Baldwinson, Larroyer.

Referee: Chris Kendall.