Rhinos wrap up second
Leeds turned on the style as they thrashed Wakefield to clinch second place.
Last Updated: 14/09/07 10:38pm
Leeds turned on the style as they thrashed Wakefield 46-4 to clinch second place in the engage Super League.
The Rhinos helped themselves to eight tries in a one-sided contest, the result of which ensured they would finish above Bradford in the standings and go straight into a play-off semi-final against St Helens at Knowsley Road.
On a night when Tony Smith may have coached his last game at Headingley in
charge of the Rhinos, Kevin Sinfield became only the second player in Super
League history to score in every round of the regular season, joining Andy
Farrell.
Keith Senior became the first player to appear in 300 Super League games and the gate of 19,226 gave the Rhinos an average of 17,558 for the season, their best since the Second World War and made them the best supported rugby league club in England.
Landmark
Leeds went ahead after only five minutes when Brent Webb fielded a deep kick and skipped past four men before feeding Danny McGuire who raced in from halfway. Sinfield reached his landmark with the goal.
Leeds were well on top and looked like scoring freely but over-elaboration and
brave defence kept them out until the 26th minute when a well-timed pass from
Rob Burrow put Sinfield in under the posts.
Leeds were simply too quick and sharp for Wakefield, who despite the promptings of Ben Jeffries, could not match the home side, who went further ahead when McGuire gathered his own kick and burst through the middle.
Rob Burrow scampered over in the corner four minutes after the break and Clinton Toopi took a perfectly weighted Sinfield kick before side-stepping his way to the line.
A second try from Burrow took Leeds to 34-0 and Brent Webb put them even
further ahead before Ben Jeffries marked his final Wakefield game with a try.
The Wildcats' scrum-half was then sin-binned and that allowed Leeds even more room, Lee Smith getting in on the act as Leeds finished off in style.
