betfred premier league
Leeds(22) 46
try: McDonald, Sivo 2, Hankinson, Hall 2, Croft, Newman Target: Connor 7
York (6) 14
try: Vaughn, Thompson, Galeano Target: Harris
Leeds Rhinos taught the York newcomers a painful lesson about Super League quality as they beat newly promoted Knights eight times at Headingley.
In their first meeting since 1995, York defeated champions Hull City in the first match, with a brilliant first half hour, with efforts from Leeds’ James McDonald and York’s Paul Vaughan making the score 6-6.
advertise
But two tries in three minutes from Micah Silver and Ryan Hall kept Brad Arthur’s side out of trouble, and Chris Hankinson gave the Rhinos a comfortable 22-6 lead in the first half.
The home side scored quickly after the restart again through veteran Hall, before further tries from Brodie Croft, Harry Newman and the unstoppable Seawo gave Leeds their first Super League win in front of a raucous home crowd.
York manager Mark Applegarth is well aware of the challenges that the top flight will bring to his side, but the clinicalness and ruthlessness of Leeds’ attack has brought that into sharp focus.
At times they overcame opponents through sheer brute force, exemplified by Siwo, who scored two tries in his first game in a year with a bruise.
advertise
Hall completed his 348th and 349th career try, showing the experience and skill required at this level, completing one try with a free move and the second running 45 meters in at an interception.
Jordan Thompson, playing his 200th game for York, scored and Scott Galeano added a shot on the end of the game.
However, this performance highlighted Leeds United’s potential this season after losing to the Leopards on the opening weekend.
They will hope to bring their efficiency and quality to Las Vegas next week as they prepare to take on last season’s treble winners Hull KR.
advertise
“It gives us something to do” – Arthur
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I was very happy with the 75 minutes but I wish we had kept our composure with five minutes left. We should have scored another goal but ended up conceding one.”
“Our defense hasn’t been as good as it needs to be this year. We haven’t scored well enough against us and we haven’t made them work hard enough. But it’s only the second round and that gives us some areas to improve on.”
“I’m really happy with our start, it was very professional. We got some good points and we continued to chase the game the way we wanted to and our stamina and effort were really good.
advertise
“We have to do something early in the piece, don’t we?”
‘We learned some lessons’ – Yorke’s reaction
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth told BBC Radio York:
“I thought Leeds United were very good and we knew they would respond after the game [defeat] Last week, but if I’m being blunt, I think we learned some lessons.
“We started the game well but then back-to-back tries really cost us and when Leeds play with that front foot they are probably the best team in the league.
“We’re going to get some really good stuff next week, but we know it’s going to be an up-and-down year and we’re not going to bounce back and get 23 wins like we did last year.
advertise
“We knew we were going to get some good highs and some pretty tough losses, and that’s definitely the case and we need to learn our lessons quickly and react in the right way.”
Leeds: Miller, Seaver, Newman, Hankinson, Hall, Croft, Connor, Jenkins, Levy, Holroyd, McDonald, Watkins, Smith
Transfer: O’Connor, Palacia, Mataudia, O’Neill
York: Matafa, Jones-Bishop, Wood, Buchanan, Galeano, Williams, Harris, Waa, McShane, Vaughn, Griffin, Field, Thompson
Transfer: Balmforth, Martin, Sangare, Vunyayava
referee: James Vera.