Leeds Rhinos thrash Castleford to go third

Betfred Super League

Castleford (0) 6

Try: Windley Goal: Atkin

Leeds (36) 64

Tries: Newman, Miller, Cassell, Croft 2, Bentley, Hall 2, Handley 2, Connor Goals: Connor 9, Hankinson

Leeds Rhinos continued to build momentum towards the Super League play-offs, moving into third place in the table with a brutal 64-6 demolition job against Castleford Tigers at the OneBore Stadium.

In an embarrassingly one-sided contest that the visitors dominated from hooter to hooter, Rhinos ran in 11 tries with Jake Connor almost flawless from the tee, knocking over nine goals.

Castleford scored one late consolation try but it could not paper over huge cracks in a performance which will make the team meeting on Monday a difficult place to be.

Leeds were dominant from the off, Harry Newman juggling the ball over the line and down on five minutes, with Connor adding the first two points of a superb afternoon with the boot.

Lachie Miller, Presley Cassell, Brodie Croft, James Bentley and Ryan Hall, scoring his first try in 10 games, all went over before half-time as Rhinos led 36-0 at the break.

In the second period, Ash Handley, Hall again, Croft with his second, Connor and Handley completed the rout before Windley's late burst through previously solid defensive ranks.

Victory provided the perfect present for head coach Brad Arthur, who this week committed to the Rhinos by signing a contract that will keep him at Headingley at least until the end of next season.

Leigh Leopards could reclaim third place should they beat Hull FC later on Saturday but for the Rhinos a top-six finish this season looks booked with just five games to go with an eight-point cushion between themselves and Wakefield Trinity in seventh.

Yet Rhinos will now be wondering whether second place in the Super League table and a direct route into a home semi-final is within their grasp.

The Rhinos will be a dangerous floater in the post season given they have wins over all of the other sides in the current play-off positions, including Hull KR, Wigan and the double over Leigh.

In contrast Castleford's season looks to be sinking.

Cas are awaiting the unveiling of a new coach, set to be announced early next week, which clearly unsettles a squad and they are battling a significant injury list. But still this was a dismal effort.

Ironic cheers and chants about the previous coach Danny McGuire greeted Jenson Windley's consolation try three minutes from time which said it all about a club which is already looking to the 2026 Super League season for renewal.

Castleford: Windley, Simm, Wood, Senior, Wallis, Asi, Atkin, Singleton, Robb, Amone, Lawler, Mellor, Westerman

Interchanges: Griffin, Hall, Mustapha, Stimson

Leeds: Miller, Hall, Handley, Newman, Hankinson, Croft, Connor, Palasia, Ackers, Cassell, McDonnell, Gannon, Watkins

Interchanges: Bentley, Lisone, Littlewood, O'Connor

Referee: Aaron Moore.