Super League: Leeds Rhinos thrash Catalans Dragons to remain top as Hull FC score 50 points at Castleford Tigers

Leeds Rhinos ran in eight tries to demolish Catalans Dragons 46-4 at Headingley and remain top of Betfred Super League, while Hull FC won big at Castleford.

Leeds' victory was a seventh win in nine this season and ensured them a two-point lead at the summit.

Ash Handley got the ball rolling with a try after two minutes and thereafter the floodgates opened.

Leeds went in 16-0 up at the break thanks to further tries from Maika Sivo and Ryan Hall. Danny Levi, Cooper Jenkins, Brodie Croft and Hall then went over for four Leeds tries inside a woeful 16-minute spell for Catalans, who simply collapsed.

Leo Darrelatour got on the scoresheet for Catalans late on but James McDonnell ensure Leeds would have the final say at the end of a dominant display.

It was a disappointing performance from the visitors, whose inconsistent season continued as they remained mired in mid-table.

Andy Last began his second stint as Hull FC interim head coach following the departure of John Cartwright with a nine-try battering of Castleford Tigers on Friday in a 50-10 victory.

Tries from Jake Arthur, Tom Briscoe, Davy Litten and Connor Bailey saw Hull FC 20-6 ahead by half-time, before further tries arrived through Lewis Martin, Litten, Zak Hardaker, Bailey, Cade Cust and Yusuf Aydin.

Hardaker added six conversions and a penalty in victory. Krystian Mapapalangi scored twice for Castleford in the heavy defeat just one week on from their shock victory over Wigan Warriors.

In Last's first interim spell in charge in 2020 he picked up eight victories from 14 games, and will seek this time to get Hull moving up the table before Steve McNamara takes over in 2027.