6 score 9/10 in Peter Smith's Leeds Rhinos player ratings from 66-16 win at York Knights

Rhinos scored six tries in each half to dismantle the home side 66-16. It was a ruthless performance, though the sight of Jake Connor limping off 14 minutes from the end was a concern.

The number seven didn’t look fully fit from the start, but ran the show while he was on. He was closely involved in half a dozen tries, landed a remarkable 40-20 and kicked four goals from as many attempts before relinquishing the duty.

Chris Hankinson took over and hit the mark with four of his seven attempts, the misses all coming from the left side of the field. He also crossed twice in a strong display. Lachie Miller had a big game, grabbing a try and converting the final touchdown.

Riley Lumb has had a tough season but grabbed an excellent hat-trick and provided the final pass for another. Other try scorers were Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, debutant Matt Lodge, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft and Ash Handley with a spectacular chip and regather late on.

Lodge had limited game time but showed good signs and is clearly going to be tough to stop close to the opposition’s line. Leeds were on top throughout and opened the scoring after seven minutes.

Hall intercepted near Rhinos’ line and Harry Newman carried play into York’s half. With the defence stretched, Connor and Hankinson moved the ball left to Lumb and he squeezed in at the corner.

Five minutes later Lumb struck again with a superb touchdown, leaping to take Connor’s kick, hanging on and managing to crawl over the line. In the next set Handley’s pass sent Lumb into space and the winger drew the full-back before passing inside to send Hankinson over. That was smart by the winger who must have been tempted to go for his hat-trick.

Leeds received a penalty in the next set and at the end of that Miller kicked to the right, Connor knocked the ball back and Watkins touched down. Connor then landed his 40-20 from which Oledzki powered over, despite having four defenders on him.

When Miller raced clear to score from Cameron Smith’s good work, it was 36-0 with half an hour played. Sam Wood seemed to have scored for York, but video referee Tom Grant overruled the on-field decision, awarding Leeds a penalty. Newman also had a touchdown ruled out before the break, because Smith’s pass was forward.

Lodge scored at the start of the second half, powering over from first-receiver after his hit forced a dropped ball from Justin Sangare. Lodge knocked on moments later giving York a set which led to a try, scored by Wood from Paul McShane’s kick. Jon Bennison converted.

Hall went in for a deserved try and Croft dummied through for his 27th try of the season early in the third quarter. Rhinos stepped off the gas after that and Knights scored consolation tries through Bennison and David Nofoaluma, both of which the former converted.

However, Rhinos finished with a flourish, adding two tries in the final couple of minutes through Handley and then Hankinson. Rhinos received four penalties to York’s three.

York Knights: Mata’afa, Benison, Galeano, Wood, Nofoaluma, McShane, Hunter, Martin, Inman, Va’a, Dee, Field, Hingano. Subs Doyle, Thompson, Sangare, Balmforth.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Newman, Bird, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Watkins, Hankinson, Cassell. Subs Smith, Holroyd, Lloyd, Lodge.

Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan).