Leeds Rhinos score 12 tries to reclaim Super League lead

Leeds Rhinos returned to the top of the Super League table with a 66-16 win over York Knights at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium. BBC Sport reported that Leeds scored 12 tries, including a Riley Lumb hat-trick, to move ahead of Wigan Warriors on points difference. York remained 12th after suffering what the BBC described as a record defeat against their Yorkshire rivals.

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Leeds established control before half-time, taking a 36-0 lead into the interval. Lumb scored the opening two tries, first 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 taking a pass from Ash Handley and releasing Chris Hankinson to score.

Kallum Watkins added the fourth after Lachie Miller's kick caused problems for the York defence and the loose ball became available. Mikolaj Oledzki then forced his way through three defenders, while Cameron Smith's evasive run created the opening for Miller to score Leeds' sixth try of the half. York briefly appeared to have a response through Sam Wood, but that effort was disallowed for obstruction against Watkins.

Matthew Lodge marked his Leeds debut by scoring from close range after the restart. Wood then secured York's first points by beating Brodie Croft to a high ball. Hall scored his ninth try of the season from a Miller pass before Lumb completed his hat-trick. Croft, Handley and Hankinson also crossed during the second half, while late tries from Bennison and David Nofoaluma lifted York to 16 points.

The scoring summary listed Hankinson with two tries and four goals, while Jake Connor also kicked four goals and Miller added another. Leeds' other try scorers were Watkins, Oledzki, Miller, Lodge, Hall, Croft and Handley. York's three tries came from Wood, Bennison and Nofoaluma, with Bennison converting twice.

Leeds coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds that he was pleased with his team's intent and mentality after the previous week's surprise home loss to Leigh. He acknowledged that focus drifted at times in the second half but stressed that Leeds must work harder to remain at the summit. York coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York that his side lacked composure in possession and control around the ruck, describing the game as a harsh lesson in managing a rugby league contest.