Globe-trotting Rhinos routed

BRIAN McDERMOTT refused to blame Leeds’ World Club Challenge exploits in Australia for their latest defeat at strugglers Widnes.

The Rhinos were playing for the first time since being trounced by Melbourne Storm nine days earlier and 12 first-team squad members were absent through injury.

Wingers Ryan Hall and Tom Briscoe then joined the casualty list after being struck down by tonsillitis and sciatica respectively.

A Krisnan Inu brace and tries to Joe Mellor and Danny Walker gave Widnes a fourth straight home win over Leeds and McDermott felt his side should have fared better. “We

WIDNES

had some experienced people out there who had played enough games,” he said. “Widnes also had some players missing, so this was a disappointing loss.

“In terms of travelling to Australia, we haven’t been down a mine digging coal, and we’ve got a million staff looking after the players.”

Brad Dwyer’s first-half try was the only cheer for Leeds and Widnes boss Denis Betts said: “It was a great win because Leeds are a champion side and we had to play well to beat them.” RONNIE O’Sullivan crushed Ding Junhui last night to win the World Grand Prix – and pass yet another personal milestone

O’Sullivan beat world No 4 Ding 10-3 at Preston’s Guild Hall to win a fourth ranking title in the same season for the first time in his 26-year career.

The five-time world champion, 42, pocketed the £100,000 first prize and took his overall ranking title tally to 32 – only four short of the record set by Stephen Hendry.