Leeds Hit Super League Summit After 66-16 Rout of York

Leeds Rhinos returned to the top of the Super League table with a 66-16 victory over York Knights at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium. BBC Sport reported that Leeds scored 12 tries in a commanding response to the home defeat by Leigh in their previous match, while York remained 12th after the loss.

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Riley Lumb led the scoring with a hat-trick, beginning with two early tries. The first followed a Ryan Hall interception and counterattack, and the second came when Lumb beat Jon Bennison to the ball. Lumb then supplied Chris Hankinson for another score as Leeds established control of the contest.

Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki and Lachie Miller also crossed before halftime, taking Leeds into the interval with a 36-0 advantage. BBC Sport reported that York had a possible Sam Wood try ruled out because Watkins was judged to have been obstructed during the move. The decision preserved the shutout through the opening half.

Matthew Lodge scored from close range on his Leeds debut after the break. Wood then put York on the board, but Hall answered with his ninth try of the season before Lumb completed his treble. Brodie Croft, Ash Handley and Hankinson added further Leeds tries, while Bennison and David Nofoaluma scored late for York.

Hankinson finished with two tries and four goals. Jake Connor also kicked four goals, while Miller added another conversion. The result left Leeds ahead of Wigan Warriors on points difference, with the Rhinos having recovered immediately from the setback against Leigh. York suffered what BBC Sport described as a record defeat against their Yorkshire rivals.

Leeds head coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds that he had not expected his side to score 66 points, but he praised the intent and mentality shown at the start. York head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York that his team had lacked composure and control in key areas. He said the match offered York a lesson in how to manage a rugby league game against a leading side.