2 score 10/10 in Peter Smith's Leeds Rhinos player ratings from huge win at Warrington Wolves

The 34-6 victory lifted Leeds two points clear of Warrington at the top of Betfred Super League and, while not perfect, it was an excellent team display on both sides of the ball. Lachie Miller had a stormer at full-back in his return from a three-match ban and scrum-half Jake Connor was just as good. At times, particularly in the second half, they were close to unplayable.

Captain/centre Ash Handley set a magnificent lead and winger Maika Sivo scored a hat-trick for the second time this season against Warrington, taking him to 25 tries in the league and 27 overall. It could have been more, but Leeds old boy James Bentley tackled him into touch just short early on and he dropped the ball over the line in the second half.

Prop Cooper Jenkins also deserves an honourable mention for his effort off the bench and all the middles were strong. Questions asked about Rhinos’ defence after they leaked 24 points at Toulouse last week were answered.

Warrington went ahead through a 10th minute Ewan Irwin penalty and had some pressure after that, but Liam Byrne knocked on in front of Leeds’ posts with 17 minutes played and in a blink of an eye Rhinos went back-to-back to take a 10-2 lead. They added another try before the break and were irresistible for a spell in the final 40 when Warrington were left flat-footed and clutching at air on occasions.

Sivo got the visitors off the mark. A superb kick from Miller split Warrington’s defence, Handley couldn’t get to it behind the hosts’ line, but knocked the ball back to the winger who simply had to put a hand on it.

In the next set from the try, Handley made a clean break from just inside Rhinos territory. He turned the ball inside and Brodie Croft ran a superb line on to the pass to score against the club he’ll join next season.

Connor converted the first off the left touchline, but his second kick bounced away off a post.

Ten minutes before the interval Connor put up a towering kick and Harry Newman came from nowhere to get to it before full-back Josh Thewlis and then power through a last-ditch tackle. Connor added the extras and that’s how it stayed until the interval.

Leeds stood strong in the final moments after an error and a couple of penalties near their line, then extended their advantage four minutes into the second period through Chris Hankinson’s third try in as many games. It was off a terrific pass from Miller, but the build-up was spectacular as Leeds kept the ball alive through a string of remarkable offloads.

Connor booted the touchline conversion and then added a penalty in the set from the restart. Long passes from Connor and then Miller put Sivo over for two more tries and Matty Ashton’s late touchdown wasn’t much consolation for the well-beaten Wire.

Leeds received five penalties to Wolves’ three, including all four in the second half. Set restarts were three-two in the hosts’ favour.

Warrington Wolves: Josh Thewlis, Hopoate, J Smith, Lindop, Ashton, Irwin, Hayes, Thomas, Walker, Byrne, Harrison, Bentley, Currie. Subs Powell, Sipley, Tanginoa, Crowther.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, Levi, Palasia, Hankinson, McDonnell, Watkins. Subs Smith, O’Connor, Cassell, Jenkins.

Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan). Attendance: 10,083.