Leeds turn on the style to beat Leigh and go third

Kallum Watkins scored two tries as Leeds Rhinos returned to third place in Super League by beating Leigh Leopards

Betfred Super League

Leeds (24) 48

Tries: Watkins (2), Miller, Smith, Newman (2), Holroyd, Oledzki Goals: Connor 8

Leigh (10) 30

Tries: Liu, Brand (3), O'Brien, Hanley Goals: O'Brien 3

Leeds Rhinos put on a superb eight-try show to leapfrog above Leigh Leopards into third place in the Super League table.

Kallum Watkins and Harry Newman both scored two tries, and Jake Connor capped a brilliant game by kicking all eight conversions as the Rhinos made it six wins from their past seven games, and bounced back from last week's defeat at St Helens.

Lachie Miller, Cameron Smith, Tom Holroyd and Mik Oledzki also went over as the Rhinos found top gear against a Leigh team who went into the game on the back of three consecutive wins.

Leigh winger Keanan Brand scored his first Super League hat-trick and Isaac Liu, Gareth O'Brien and Umyla Hanley also crossed, but Gareth O'Brien could not match Connor's accuracy with the boot.

Leeds coach Brad Arthur had described his team's performance the previous week as "embarrassing", but he certainly got a response as his team repeatedly opened up a strong Leigh defence, although Watkins' early score was quickly rubbed out by a powerful try from Liu.

Miller's try from his own half after Edwin Ipape's sloppy pass had gifted Leeds possession restored the home side's lead, and with Connor in ruthless form and O'Brien missing his conversion attempt after Brand's first try, they would not relinquish their advantage.

Smith's fumble wrong-footed the Leigh defence to present the forward with a gap he slipped through to score, and magical Brodie Croft footwork created an important try for Newman just before half-time to give Leeds breathing space.

Leigh refused to lie down, and brilliant work from Hanley sent O'Brien over for his first Super League try of the season. However, Newman hit back with his second, and Watkins made use of Connor's slick pass to race clear and throw a cheeky dummy on his way to the line.

Brand produced two more fine finishes in the corner either side of Holroyd's try for the home side. But Oledzki went over and Hanley then claimed a deserved try following Ben McNamara's lovely break and kick on the gallop to cap a stellar Leeds display.

'That's what fans want' - reaction

Leeds coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds:

"I could sit here and be negative and talk about the defence of both teams but that's the game the fans want to see. There were lots of tries, lots of great skill on show and both teams really threw a lot at each other.

"Sometimes in those kinds of contests, that's where it gets to and it's hard to defend. Both coaches will look at defence but I'm not concerned because it hasn't been consistent with us, it was just that style of game.

"We came here to have a response to last week and go after the game and we did that. It was fourth versus third and we jump a spot, and both teams showed they are worthy of where they sit.

"We're trying to grow the game, and that's what people want to see, tries."

Leigh coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester:

"I think we looked lethargic, probably from last week in that heat, a short turnaround, so we only trained once in the week.

"We looked like we hadn't played together at times. I didn't get angry in the dressing room, we'll move on quickly and address it.

"Some of the things we were doing in the game was uncharacteristic, but we scored some really good tries and we never gave up."

Leeds: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Edgell, Connor, Croft, Jenkins, O'Connor, Oledzki, McDonnell, Watkins, Palasia.

Interchanges: Holroyd, Lisone, Sinfield, Smith.

Leigh: Armstrong, McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Brand, O'Brien, Lam, Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Trout, Halton, Liu.

Interchanges: Hughes, O'Neill, Davis, McNamara.

Referee: Liam Moore.