Leeds Rhinos 48, Leigh Leopards 30: YEP video review

YEP rugby league writer Peter Smith reflects on Leeds Rhinos' 48-30 win against Leigh Leopards in a points-fest at AMT Headingley.

Transcript

00:01We spent a very entertaining night here at AMT Heading the Way Rhinos.

00:06We have beaten Lee 48 points to 30.

00:10It wasn't exactly a case of defences on top but it was good entertainment.

00:14Certainly for the first 50 minutes it got a little bit of a touching pass towards the end.

00:18But I thought both teams played some excellent attacking rugby.

00:21Keenan Brand for the visitors, Lee scored a terrific hat-trick.

00:25But Leeds with ball in hand were on fire for parts of this game.

00:29In particular, Callum Watkins, who is playing as well as he's ever done at 34.

00:34He scored two tries, played the full 80 minutes in the pack and was absolutely superb.

00:39His second try, I can say now, will be Ryanos' try of the season.

00:43I'm sure of that when he dummy-drammed foot-back Eric O'Brien for an absolutely wonderful try from a pass play.

00:50Jake Connor, who kicked all, converted all Leeds' eight tries and had another excellent game.

00:58I understand, by the time you see this, this may be proved wrong, but I understand he's not going to be in the England squad.

01:05And I think if you're picking on form, you'd have to have him in there.

01:08He's been absolutely terrific this year.

01:10Brodie Croft's getting back to his best.

01:12I credit also to Harry Newman, who I thought had probably his best game of the season so far.

01:18He also scored two tries.

01:19I also want to mention the atmosphere.

01:21It was raucous, loud, passionate.

01:23It was a really good night at Headingley, the sort of evening we used to have 10, 15 years ago.

01:31Really terrific entertainment.

01:33See, you could be critical of both sides in terms of defence.

01:38But Leeds wanted a response to last week's performance at St Helens, and they certainly got it.

01:43Really good attack in display.

01:44I think they'll go to Hull KR next week with a certain amount of confidence.

01:48Obviously they'll have to defend a lot better, but they can be pretty sure they'll throw some things at Hull KR.

01:55First versus third, as things stand on the table at the moment, that should be some game.

02:00But Leeds got over that blip at St Helens last week, I think, and it was a good night.

02:07Thoroughly enjoyable night here at Headingley.