Leeds Rhinos 48 - Hull KR 18: Rampant Rhinos score eight tries as they power into Challenge Cup semi-finals

A POTENTIALLY tricky hurdle was negotiated with surprising ease last night when Leeds Rhinos booked their place in today’s Coral Challenge Cup semi-final draw through a 48-18 drubbing of Hull KR.
Can't stop him: 
Rhinos' Ash Handley scores the second try of the game.
Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeCan't stop him: 
Rhinos' Ash Handley scores the second try of the game.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Can't stop him: Rhinos' Ash Handley scores the second try of the game. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Rovers had beaten Wigan Warriors and taken St Helens to extra-time in their two previous games and - with Leeds having had some Covid disruption during the build-up - went into the tie in confident mood, but they were never in contention.

For the second successive week Rhinos’ kick-off was delayed after the preceding match went to golden point, but a lesson had been learned.

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Against Huddersfield Giants seven days earlier it took 40 minutes and a 10-0 deficit before Rhinos got going, but their start this time was sensational - four tries in 19 minutes, all converted by Rhyse Martin, making it 24-0 before Rovers knew what had hit them.

Power play: Harry Newman races through to score the fourth try of the game.

Picture: Jonathan GawthorpePower play: Harry Newman races through to score the fourth try of the game.

Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Power play: Harry Newman races through to score the fourth try of the game. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Leeds extended their advantage to 30-0 at the break and though Rovers pulled a try back and then scored a couple of late consolations, it was always going to be Rhinos’ night.

The opening quarter was as good as Leeds have been under Richard Agar’s coaching.

They were strong up the middle, much faster than the opposition and utterly clinical with their attack.

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A knock-on by Ethan Ryan 10 metres out gave them a first opportunity on six minutes and after Matt Prior was tackled just short, quick hands from Kruise Leeming sent Ava Seumanufagai over in the sixth minute.

Tight squeeze: Winger Tom Briscoe managed to score the third try of the game.

Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeTight squeeze: Winger Tom Briscoe managed to score the third try of the game.

Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Tight squeeze: Winger Tom Briscoe managed to score the third try of the game. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Then a Rovers kick was batted back, allowing Mikolaj Oledzki to begin a counter-attack, in which Leeming sent Luke Gale into space and Ash Handley was in support to cross.

Leeds survived back-to-back sets near their own line before adding a third try. Gale and Prior put Leeming into space and though he was pulled down by opposite number Matt Parcell, Rhinos kept their composure.

The ball was moved right and Rhyse Martin and Harry Newman combined to set up a strong finish by Tom Briscoe.

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Rovers had been run ragged and a couple of repeat sets and penalties didn’t help their cause.

Get in: Rhinos celebrate Ava Seumanufagai's try. 
Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeGet in: Rhinos celebrate Ava Seumanufagai's try. 
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Get in: Rhinos celebrate Ava Seumanufagai's try. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Leeds kicked to touch from a penalty on half-way and again made the opportunity count, through a moment of the highest class from Harry Newman.

He gathered Rob Lui’s high pass, hit the accelerator and stepped through a mortified defence for a brilliant solo try, to which Martin added his fourth conversion.

After an opening quarter which was pretty much flawless, Rhinos’ handling deteriorated a little, which wasn’t surprising after they had set a sky-high standard.

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Rovers’ defence also improved as they got up to the pace of the game and they created some pressure, without asking too many questions of Leeds’ line defence.

Up and running: Ava Seumanufagai scores the opening try of the game.
Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeUp and running: Ava Seumanufagai scores the opening try of the game.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Up and running: Ava Seumanufagai scores the opening try of the game. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The closest Rovers came was on 26 minutes when Shaun Kenny-Dowall took a high kick, but Gale, Richie Myler and Liam Sutcliffe grounded him short of the line.

A minute before the interval Leeds’ fourth penalty of the half - against just one for Rovers - was made to count when Leeming spun out of some poor Hull KR defence on the line and reached over for his first Rhinos try.

After his long injury, Leeming is still coming to terms with his new club, but he had to step up as the lone hooker in the side - Brad Dwyer serving a one-match ban - and he did that.

Half-back Callum McLelland took over in the final quarter.

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Martin, who converted that try, also had his best game since the sport’s resumption. He returned after missing the Giants match due to last week’s Covid scare. Alex Mellor, back after a knee injury, also gave the pack an added dimension and Prior - another forward who was unavailable last week - set a tremendous lead with his strong start.

Leeds were reduced to 12 men five minutes into the second half when Seumanufagai was sin-binned for a foul on Matt Gee, who went off for a head check.

The Robins scored in the set from the penalty when Jamie Ellis grubbered over the line and ran through to touch down for a try which he also converted.

Leeds turned down the two from a kickable penalty, despite the tee being sent on, but they restored the 30-point gap with 26 minutes left when Gale opened the defence, Myler shot through a gap and Leeming was on his right shoulder to cross.

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Luke Briscoe replaced Handley early in the second half and pounced on a Rovers error to run in Leeds’ seventh try at the end of the third quarter.

Hull KR gained some respectability when Jez Litten and Ellis went over either side of a Myler touchdown which was ruled out for obstruction.

Ellis converted both, but Leeds had the final say through a powerful finish from Martin, who completed the scoring with his eighth conversion.

The penalty count finished five-five and Rhinos benefitted from five set restarts to Rovers’ two.

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Along with Dwyer, Alex Sutcliffe (suspended) and Bodene Thompson and Brett Ferres (both Cup-tied), Konrad Hurrell and Adam Cuthbertson dropped out from the Leeds team on duty against Huddersfield.

Salford City Reds are also through to the semi-finals after a golden point extra-time win over Catalans Dragons.

Dan Sargison’s try sealed a 22-18 win after the sides finished 18-18 after 80 minutes.

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Laura Collins

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