Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos 48-18 Hull KR
- Published
Kruise Leeming celebrated his first two tries in Leeds colours
Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final |
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Leeds (30) 48 |
Tries: Seumanufagai, Handley, T. Briscoe, Newman, Leeming 2, L. Briscoe, Martin Goals: Martin 8 |
Hull KR (0) 18 |
Tries: Ellis 2, Litten Goals: Ellis 3 |
Leeds Rhinos cruised into the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a dominant victory over Hull KR at St Helens.
The game was won in a five-try first-half, with Ava Seumanufagai, Ash Handley, Tom Briscoe, Harry Newman and Kruise Leeming crossing.
Jamie Ellis got the first points of the second half hoping to stir Rovers, but Leeming's second quashed the fightback.
Luke Briscoe and Rhyse Martin made it a comfortable night despite Jez Litten and Ellis scores for spirited Rovers.
Rhinos backrower James Donaldson made a first-half allegation of biting against Rovers half-back Ellis, which went on report and may result in suspension, to compound a tough evening for Tony Smith's side.
There was a fluidity and ruthlessness to Leeds' first-half whirlwind of points, built on a ruckspeed and intensity that Rovers could not cope with.
Whether it was raw power from Seumanufagai, sharp footwork and momentum for the Newman and Tom Briscoe scores or teamwork in the shape of Leeming's efforts; Leeds showed all facets of their skill set in a confident display.
Martin was peerless with the boot, slotting a perfect eight and adding a try himself.
Rovers - under former Rhinos boss Smith - have earned plaudits for their adventurous and expansive style of play, and made champions St Helens sweat in two recent matches, but they had no answer when Leeds turned on the power in the opening 40 minutes.
There was much to enjoy about their efforts with the game over as a contest in the second period, as they threw the ball around, put shape and angles on the Leeds defence and found holes to expose as a result.
However, Leeds were never really challenged in terms of the scoreboard and the 30-point margin was a deserved one.
'We took too long to get off that bus' - post-match reaction
Leeds coach Richard Agar: "We've still a way to go when you look at the benchmark teams but we're going in the right direction.
"We've a level to step up from a consistency point of view if we want to start picking trophies up but I feel we're on a journey. With some of the younger talents emerging, there are some pretty good signs for us.
"I think we can get excited about the draw tomorrow."
Hull KR coach Tony Smith: "I'm disappointed. We took too long to get off that bus. They did a good job, they started quickly, effectively and efficiently and we didn't react. That wasn't us tonight.
"There was a bit of a reaction in the second half but it took us way too long to get into that match. At 30-0, we could have thrown the towel in but we didn't and it ended up 18-18 in the second half."
On allegation of biting against Jamie Ellis: "Jamie was on his back and a finger or thumb went in his mouth.
"I don't know why he was putting his hand in his mouth. I'm not sure which one was put on report."
Leeds: Myler; T. Briscoe, Newman, Sutcliffe, Handley; Lui, Gale; Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Oledzki
Interchanges: L. Briscoe, McClelland, Holroyd, Donaldson
Hull KR: Dagger; Ryan, Kenny-Dowall, Linnett, Minkin; Lewis, Ellis; Hauraki, Parcell, Lawler, Storton, Hadley, Mulhern
Interchanges: Peteru, Litten, Murray, Gee