Leeds turn on the style to beat Leigh and go third

Betfred Super League

Leeds (24) 48

Tries: Watkins (2), Miller, Smith, Newman (2), Holroyd, Oledzki Goals: Connor 8

Leigh (10) 30

Tries: Liu, Brand (3), O'Brien, Hanley Goals: O'Brien 3

Leeds Rhinos put on a superb eight-try show to leapfrog above Leigh Leopards into third place in the Super League table.

Kallum Watkins and Harry Newman both scored two tries, and Jake Connor capped a brilliant game by kicking all eight conversions as the Rhinos made it six wins from their past seven games, and bounced back from last week's defeat at St Helens.

Lachie Miller, Cameron Smith, Tom Holroyd and Mik Oledzki also went over as the Rhinos found top gear against a Leigh team who went into the game on the back of three consecutive wins.

Leigh winger Keanan Brand scored his first Super League hat-trick and Isaac Liu, Gareth O'Brien and Umyla Hanley also crossed, but Gareth O'Brien could not match Connor's accuracy with the boot.

Leeds coach Brad Arthur had described his team's performance the previous week as "embarrassing", but he certainly got a response as his team repeatedly opened up a strong Leigh defence, although Watkins' early score was quickly rubbed out by a powerful try from Liu.

Miller's try from his own half after Edwin Ipape's sloppy pass had gifted Leeds possession restored the home side's lead, and with Connor in ruthless form and O'Brien missing his conversion attempt after Brand's first try, they would not relinquish their advantage.

Smith's fumble wrong-footed the Leigh defence to present the forward with a gap he slipped through to score, and magical Brodie Croft footwork created an important try for Newman just before half-time to give Leeds breathing space.

Leigh refused to lie down, and brilliant work from Hanley sent O'Brien over for his first Super League try of the season. However, Newman hit back with his second, and Watkins made use of Connor's slick pass to race clear and throw a cheeky dummy on his way to the line.

Brand produced two more fine finishes in the corner either side of Holroyd's try for the home side. But Oledzki went over and Hanley then claimed a deserved try following Ben McNamara's lovely break and kick on the gallop to cap a stellar Leeds display.

Leeds: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Edgell, Connor, Croft, Jenkins, O'Connor, Oledzki, McDonnell, Watkins, Palasia.

Interchanges: Holroyd, Lisone, Sinfield, Smith.

Leigh: Armstrong, McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Brand, O'Brien, Lam, Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Trout, Halton, Liu.

Interchanges: Hughes, O'Neill, Davis, McNamara.

Referee: Liam Moore.