Rhinos run riot at home
Leeds bounced back from their World Club Challenge disappointment with a 62-4 triumph over injury-hit Harlequins.
Last Updated: 05/03/10 11:01pm
Leeds bounced back from their World Club Challenge disappointment with a resounding 62-4 triumph over injury-hit Harlequins.
Brent Webb, Ryan Hall, Danny Buderus and Ali Lauitiiti all scored twice as the Rhinos ran in 12 tries to claim a convincing win at Headingley.
They had only led 14-4 at the break but managed 48 points without reply in a one-sided second half that saw Quins put to the sword.
Jamie O'Callaghan's early try was the only crumb of comfort the depleted visitors could take home after their long trip north from the capital.
Melbourne Hangover
Webb crossed twice in the opening half but the Rhinos, without skipper Kevin Sinfield, seemed to be suffering a hangover from their loss to Melbourne.
The full-back broke the deadlock after just four minutes following good work by Rob Burrow, who hit the post with his conversion attempt, and Jay Pitts.
However Quins hit back with a try of their own three minutes later, O'Callaghan coming up with Chris Melling's steepling cross-field kick ahead of Leeds debutant Tom Bush.
The try led to a tense spell for the reigning Super League champions as a number of chances went begging - Halling spilling the ball as he tried to get over while Ben Jones-Bishop, on loan to Quins from Leeds, denied Danny McGuire with a superb, last-ditch tackle.
Eventually the pressure paid off, though, with the bright Burrow popping the ball up for Webb to canter over from 20 metres out.
Burrow added the extras and a third try - scored by Hall thanks to Webb's floating pass - just before the interval gave Leeds a comfortable cushion.
Ran riot
With the confidence returning with every impressive attacking move, Brian McClennan's side simply ran riot after the break.
Hooker Buderus scored twice in the space of five minutes, the first coming courtesy of an excellent offload out of the tackle by Luke Burgess.
When Lauitiiti finished off more excellent work by Burrow to cross just before the hour, it became a question of how many the Rhinos would score.
McGuire helped himself to a try when he collected his own hack forward, while Kallum Watkins and Lauitiiti also quickly followed him across the try-line.
Burrow converted all three scores as he kicked 14 points, a fine haul that rounded off an excellent personal display from the diminutive number seven.
Keith Senior grabbed try number 11 with six minutes left and there was still enough time remaining for apprentice plumber Bush, who had needed time off work to train with the first team during the week, to sink further misery on the Quins right before the hooter with a score on his first appearance.
