Rhinos pull clear at top after dismantling Saints

Leeds Rhinos' Danny McGuire scores at Langtree Park. Picture: Steve Riding.

A RECORD win at St Helens last night rocketed Leeds Rhinos six points clear at the top of First Utility Super League, writes Peter Smith.

Rhinos’ 41-16 victory was their biggest winning margin away to Saints and they are the first team to hold such a big lead on the table since Wigan Warriors in 2010. Leeds led 28-6 at half-time and had to withstand a Saints fightback, before pulling away with two late tries.

“There was some very good stuff in the first half,” coach Brian McDermott said. “There was some equally impressive stuff in the second, in terms of our attitude. Collectively, it was very good.”

McDermott insisted Leeds won’t get carried away by their big lead.

“It’s good,” he said. “We’d like to be eight and we’d like to be 10.

“We’re not looking behind us and trying to keep away from everybody else, but looking forward and trying to get as many points as we can.

“We want to be as good as we can. Everybody will accept while that was a great game, there’s a bit more improvement in us.”

McDermott refused to comment on his decision to drop skipper Kevin Sinfield to the bench for the first time since 2003.