A uncommon two-try efficiency from ahead Cameron Smith set Leeds Rhinos on their strategy to a fifth consecutive Tremendous League win, piling on the distress for Problem Cup overwhelmed finalists Warrington Wolves.
Smith got here off the interchange bench to interrupt down some sturdy Warrington defence within the first half, and with the in-form Jake Connor including the conversion and a penalty, the house facet had respiration house at half-time.
The Wolves’ spirited efficiency fell aside within the second half as Smith added one other, and tries from Brodie Croft, Tom Holroyd, Connor and Morgan Gannon ensured Leeds stayed in contact with prime two Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan Warriors.
An excellent attempt from Jake Thewlis had given Warrington temporary hope, Ben Currie added a late comfort rating, and Marc Sneyd’s two conversions noticed him overhaul Andy Farrell to go fourth within the all-time Tremendous League kickers’ record with 1,027 targets.
Warrington’s morale-sapping late defeat by Hull KR at Wembley final week was compounded by the lack of full-back Matt Dufty with a fractured eye socket, however their efficiency in that slim loss, and the return of George Williams for his first Tremendous League look since 12 April, raised hopes for the remainder of their marketing campaign.
That optimism was underlined in a decent first half in opposition to a Leeds facet whose defensive document is second solely to that of Hull KR this season.
Each groups had possibilities thwarted by glorious defence within the opening half-hour and paradoxically it was a Williams fumble that set Leeds up for the opening rating, Smith benefiting from Lachie Miller’s sharp break to go underneath the posts, with Connor extending the lead.
The entire Wolves’ tremendous defensive work in that opening half proved to be for nothing as Leeds stepped up a gear after the break and the guests, who misplaced Arron Lindop to a knee damage, started to flag.
Inside six minutes of the restart, Smith had barged over for his second attempt – solely the second time in his nine-year profession that he has scored greater than as soon as in a sport – and Croft stepped exterior his would-be tackler to place the sport past Wire.
That sparked Sam Burgess’s facet into attacking life they usually responded with a picturebook attempt, Thewlis racing clear after a slick passing transfer, nevertheless it was a momentary pleasure for the travelling followers.
Leeds roared again onto the assault and, after Smith was inches in need of a hat-trick simply earlier than, Connor despatched Holroyd via a spot earlier than darting via for a attempt of his personal so as to add to 5 profitable conversions.
Ben Currie’s 99th attempt for Warrington was a comfort, whereas Sneyd’s kick noticed him to 1,027 in Tremendous League, forward of Wigan legend Farrell, however Gannon had the ultimate say, with Kallum Watkins given the conversion to get him on the scoresheet in his four-hundredth profession look.
