Rhinos too much for Wildcats

The reigning Super League champions, fielding a mixture of seasoned professionals and promising youngsters, warmed up for their title defence by running in five tries in front of a festive crowd of 9,062.

Acting captain Rob Burrow crossed for one of the tries while ex-Wakefield prop Richard Moore caught the eye for the hosts on his debut.

The Wildcats had no fewer than 12 new faces on display themselves including Andy Ellis, with the former Harlequins hooker opening the scoring on 14 minutes when he dummied his way over from acting half-back.

Stand-off Isaac John added the conversion but the slow-starting Rhinos drew level midway through the first half when Chris Clarkson celebrated signing a new contract by winning the race to Paul McShane's grubber kick.

Seized control

Lee Smith kicked the first of his two goals to level matters and the champions seized control of the match with two further tries just before the break.

Hooker Liam Hood caught the visiting defence sleeping to get the first before centre Kallum Watkins then raced over from halfway after taking Weller Hauraki's pass, making it 16-6 at the halfway stage.

The introduction of scrum-half Kyle Wood and ex-Leeds prop Kyle Amor helped spark a second-half revival for the Wildcats, and they pulled a try back through Australian centre Dean Collis on 51 minutes.

However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when the excellent Hauraki got Watkins into a gap and Burrow was in support to claim a deserved try.

Zak Hardaker also crossed just before the end for Leeds, supporting a break by winger Jamel Chisholm to touch down. Burrow rounded out the scoring with the conversion.