Leeds Hit York for 12 Tries to Return to Super League Summit

Leeds Rhinos moved back to the top of Super League with a 66-16 victory over York Knights, scoring 12 tries in a one-sided contest at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium. BBC Sport reported that winger Riley Lumb led the rout with a hat-trick as Leeds responded decisively to their surprise home defeat by Leigh in the previous round.

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Leeds established a 36-0 half-time advantage after overwhelming York from the opening stages. Lumb scored the first two tries, initially finishing after Ryan Hall intercepted and launched a counterattack, then beating Jon Bennison to the ball for his second. Lumb also helped create the third by supplying Chris Hankinson, before Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki and Lachie Miller added further tries before the interval.

Matthew Lodge marked his Leeds debut with a close-range try after the restart. York then opened their account through Sam Wood, who won an aerial contest before grounding the ball. Hall scored his ninth try of the season and Lumb completed his treble, while Brodie Croft, Ash Handley and Hankinson also crossed as Leeds continued to extend their lead.

Bennison and David Nofoaluma added York’s other tries late in the match, but they could not prevent a record defeat against their Yorkshire rivals. Hankinson finished with two tries and four goals, Jake Connor kicked four goals, and Miller added another conversion. Bennison converted two of York’s three tries.

The result put Leeds first in the standings, ahead of Wigan Warriors on points difference, while York remained 12th. It also supplied an immediate answer to Leeds’ setback against Leigh, with their early pace and execution placing the contest firmly under their control before York had scored.

Leeds head coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds that he was pleased with his team’s intent and mentality, while acknowledging that its focus drifted at times in the second half. He said Leeds had worked hard to regain top spot and would need to work even harder to retain it. York coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York that his side needed greater composure in possession and better control around the ruck, describing the match as a harsh lesson in managing a rugby league game.