Rhinos back on the charge
Leeds signalled a recovery from their recent mini-slump with a 34-6 victory at high-flying Huddersfield.
Last Updated: 19/04/09 2:36pm
Leeds signalled a recovery from their recent mini-slump with a 34-6 victory at high-flying Huddersfield.
Full-back Brent Webb scored two tries as the champions recorded a first win in four matches in front of a crowd of 11,593 at the Galpharm Stadium.
The Rhinos made the perfect start when home skipper Brett Hodgson dropped the ball straight from the kick-off in the opening seconds.
A flowing Leeds move was then capped off by Matt Diskin's kick through for Webb to go over by the posts.
The Giants never recovered from such a bad start and they found themselves 22-0 down at the break.
Huddersfield, who needed to win by 16 points to go top of the table, enjoyed some pressure near the Leeds try-line in the first half.
But strong defence coupled with some handling errors meant Huddersfield only got onto the scoresheet in the second half.
Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield kicked two penalties, both awarded for obstruction, in the opening period and then two quick converted tries just before the break effectively put the game beyond the Giants.
Keith Senior dodged Leroy Cudjoe's attempted tackle to put Ryan Hall in after 37 minutes, and soon afterwards Rob Burrow started a move from a tap penalty which ended with Danny McGuire crossing the line unchallenged.
Storming
It got even worse for Huddersfield within seconds of the restart when substitute Danny Buderus supplied a well-placed pass which sent Webb storming away down the middle for a fine solo effort.
Huddersfield, who had been unbeaten in six games before tonight, got a consolation score when 19-year-old Great Britain academy centre Michael Lawrence crossed from Brett Hodgson's pass on 45 minutes.
A try for David Hodgson was ruled out five minutes later by referee Richard Silverwood as the winger was ruled to have taken on a forward pass.
But Leeds had the final word when Diskin pounced on sloppy Giants defending to dive over unopposed.
Sinfield added a conversion to finish the game with seven goals.
