Leeds Rhinos 64 - London Broncos
6

Flying winger Marcus Bai scorched in for a hat-trick of tries in the final 17 minutes as engage Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos roared back to form by defeating London Broncos 64-6.

Powerful prop Ryan Bailey and lively half-back Danny McGuire inspired the run-away victory which took the Rhinos two points clear of St Helens at the top.

London had little answer to Leeds? slick handling as Tony Smith?s men cut loose in an embarrassingly one-sided second half.

Suspicions that the Rhinos were going through a slump, after a home league defeat against Wakefield and their struggle to knock Warrington out of the Powergen Challenge Cup, were comprehensively answered as they overcame London?s challenge.

After rattling up 70 points against Hunslet in the Cup, the Broncos were simply outclassed by the Super League and world club champions.

Leeds took just five minutes to open the scoring, the strength of Kiwi Test second-row Ali Lauitiiti enabling him to barge over the line with four London players hanging on. Kevin Sinfield?s kick from wide out hit the near upright and stayed out.

The hosts had some strong tackling to do, with London throwing the ball about with enterprise, but try-scorer Lauitiiti showed he was just as formidable on the defensive.

Leeds survived the pressure and showed their class with slick handling by Richard Mathers and Lauitiiti enabling centre Keith Senior to cross for the Rhinos? third try.

Thomas Leuluai was at the hub of London?s best moves and the scrum-half wriggled his way over for his side?s only try of the first half on the half-hour, Paul Sykes adding the goal.

But Leeds had the edge in attacking ideas and McGuire?s long pass saw Lauitiiti offload the ball intelligently and McGuire was up in support to score.

McGuire was the architect for Leeds? fifth try, kicking to the corner where Chev Walker outjumped London winger Jon Wells to gather and touch down in the corner. Sinfield?s successful kick took the Leeds captain?s career total to 1,000 points as the Rhinos led 26-6 at the break.

Then, five minutes into the second half, McGuire went between the posts for his second try after a storming break by Bailey. Sinfield was again successful with the conversion.

Scrum-half Rob Burrow left London with no hope of launching a recovery when he darted 20 metres on a solo run for the Rhinos? seventh try. Sinfield added the goal but was off the field when Leeds hit the Broncos with three touchdowns in eight minutes - Mathers (twice), Bai and Keith Senior scoring at will.

Liam Botham and Burrow failed with conversion attempts but when Sinfield returned he improved Bai?s second try with 10 minutes left to bring up the 60 points for the rampant Rhinos.

Winger Bai completed his hat-trick of tries in injury-time with the Broncos a demoralised outfit, and although Sinfield missed the kick there were no complaints.

Leeds: Mathers, Calderwood, Walker, Senior, Bai, Sinfield, Burrow, Bailey, Dunemann, Ward, Lauitiiti, Poching, Jones-Buchanan. Replacements: McDermott, Botham, McGuire, Scruton.

London: Lucky Luisi, Bradley-Qalilawa, Sykes, O'Halloran, Wells, Dorn, Leuluai, Trindall, McLinden, Armour, Haumono, Hopkins, Lolohea. Replacements: Highton, Tookey, Mbu, Williams.

Leeds: (26) 64. Tries: Lauitiiti, Poching, Senior 2, McGuire 2, Walker, Burrow, Mathers 2, Bai 3. Goals: Sinfield 6.

London: (6) 6. Tries: Leuluai. Goals: Sykes.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury)

Att: 14,253

Thanks to: http://www.superleague.co.uk for another excellent article.