Leeds Rhinos have been battered again this week by Catalans Dragons after losing 50-0 to Wigan Warriors last week as their wait for a Grand Final win reaches what feels like a new low.
Highlight:
Leeds Rhinos went to Perpignan knowing that they needed a win to keep their play off hopes well and truly alive. To win they needed to repeat their success in France against the Dragons last year when they won at the Stade Gilbert Brutus twice to head towards Old Trafford.
The Rhinos got off to a poor start as Catalans Dragons carved them up down the blind side from deep.
Tom Johnstone was tackled on the touchline by a covering Ash Handley but the winger found an offload inside to Adam Keighran to score who converted.
The Dragons nearly added a second try when Mike McMeeken tried to power over but knocked on but eventually they would rack up the points with Ben Garcia powering over whilst another lovely move carved Leeds open down the edge with Sam Tomkins with the killer ball.
Tyrone May would notch the assist as Catalans made it 22-0 with a ball over the top for Tom Johnstone, still battling to be the league’s top try scorer.
Leeds thought they had a try when Jack Sinfield kicked and the ball hit Mitchell Pearce allowing him the chance to ground but Sam Tomkins got there first.
The Dragons would then extend their lead with another lovely move right which was finished by a diving finish for Tom Davies for his second try of the game.
At the start of the second half Mitchell Pearce was on hand to score after a probing run and offload.
The Dragons continued to storm ahead with further tries such as weaving run from Tom Johnstone as well as a deserved try for Matt Ikuvalu.
Sam Tomkins rubbed salt in the wound with a drop goal. Adam Keighran then scored to wrap up the scoring.
Leeds finished the game with 11 men with Harry Newman and Sam Lisone both sub binned.
Talking Points:
No excuse
Leeds have a number of players missing but that is no excuse for the beatings they have suffered in the last two games. It’s probably a good thing the season is over for the Rhinos because it could save their blushes.
Where do they go from here?
Leeds are about as far away from a Grand Final as they have ever been, even more so than in 2018 when they finished 10th. That’s because they still have so much to do in terms of recruitment.
Catalans for Super League glory?
The Dragons looked very good today and could appear like Super League Champions in waiting but they did have it easy.
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