Rampant Rhinos thrash Wakefield

The Rhinos hit a purple patch in which they rattled up 34 points in just 17 breathtaking minutes which took the game away from the outclassed Wildcats in an embarrassingly one-sided first half at Belle Vue.

The visitors kept the ball alive superbly to run in seven first-half tries and also kept their own line intact by the interval to race into a 38-0 lead.

Leeds were given early encouragement with a try from centre Keith Senior after Wakefield hooker Brad Drew shot out of the line when he attempted an interception and that set the pattern for the match.

Hooker Matt Diskin then went over from Danny McGuire's short pass and, when Wakefield winger Luke George failed to diffuse a 'bomb' from Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield was on hand to touch down.

Leeds were even a threat from their own half, as they demonstrated on 24 minutes when a Jamie Peacock offload freed full-back Brent Webb and he gave winger Scott Donald an unopposed run to the line.

Wakefield's frailty under the high ball was exposed once more when McGuire's kick bounced between two defenders and presented substitute Ali Lauitiiti with a simple try.

The brilliant Rhinos were simply unstoppable, with Burrow scampering away to present McGuire with the easiest of tries while Webb broke clear to get Donald over for his second try.

The introduction of Jamie Rooney for his first appearance of Super League XIII just before half-time injected some vigour into the Wildcats play but it needed a kick from Drew to create a consolation try for George on 62 minutes.

They added a second 10 minutes from the end when centre Ryan Atkins crossed but Leeds had the final say when Diskin went over from acting half-back for his second try and Sinfield kicked his sixth goal from eight attempts to take his personal haul to 16 points.