Leeds Rhinos thrash Castleford to go third

Betfred Super League

Castleford (0) 6

Try: Windley Goal: Atkin

Leeds (36) 64

Tries: Newman, Miller, Cassell, Croft 2, Bentley, Hall 2, Handley 2, Connor Goals: Connor 9, Hankinson

Leeds Rhinos continued to build momentum towards the Super League play-offs, moving into third place in the table with a brutal 64-6 demolition job against Castleford Tigers at the OneBore Stadium.

In an embarrassingly one-sided contest that the visitors dominated from hooter to hooter, Rhinos ran in 11 tries with Jake Connor almost flawless from the tee, knocking over nine goals.

Castleford scored one late consolation try but it could not paper over huge cracks in a performance which will make the team meeting on Monday a difficult place to be.

Victory provided the perfect present for head coach Brad Arthur, who this week committed to the Rhinos by signing a contract that will keep him at Headingley at least until the end of next season.

Leigh Leopards could reclaim third place should they beat Hull FC later on Saturday but for the Rhinos a top-six finish this season looks booked with just five games to go with an eight-point cushion between themselves and Wakefield Trinity in seventh.

Yet Rhinos will now be wondering whether second place in the Super League table and a direct route into a home semi-final is within their grasp.

More to follow.

Castleford: Windley, Simm, Wood, Senior, Wallis, Asi, Atkin, Singleton, Robb, Amone, Lawler, Mellor, Westerman

Interchanges: Griffin, Hall, Mustapha, Stimson

Leeds: Miller, Hall, Handley, Newman, Hankinson, Croft, Connor, Palasia, Ackers, Cassell, McDonnell, Gannon, Watkins

Interchanges: Bentley, Lisone, Littlewood, O'Connor

Referee: Aaron Moore.