Leeds send Feathers flying Phew! Wat a scorcher
RUGBY LEAGUE HOT-STUFF KALLUM GETS BACKING FROM THE BOSS Widnes Brought down GOLDEN BROWN THE STRANGLER
BRIAN McDERMOTT labelled criticism of Kallum Watkins this year “unfair” after the England centre’s four tries blitzed part-time Featherstone.
The Rhinos got t heir unexpected Qualifiers campaign off to the perfect start by scoring 44 unanswered second- half points against gallant but outgunned opponents.
Watkins – back to his brilliant best – was unplayable at times, having been targeted by some during different stages of a difficult campaign for the club.
Outstanding
McDermott said: “Kallum has been outstanding. He’s been unfairly judged because he’s not been able to score when he wants, or just step round somebody and outpace them.
“He’s been playing in a team that hasn’t given him much of a platform, and defensively hasn’t been where it should be.
“He got on the end of some stuff today and looked as good as he’s ever been.”
McDermott also paid tribute to Championship Featherstone, who tested the Rhinos in the first half before struggling to contain a fluent Rhinos attack in which JODIE BROUGHTON scored a stunning individual try as Catalans finally firedup their faltering top-four bid.
The Dragons had come into the game on the back of five straight league defeats that had seen them slip off the play-off pace.
But in gaining revenge for one of those losses – at Widnes a fortnight ago – the French side reduced the gap to St Helens to two points and eased the full- back Liam Sutcliffe also excelled.
McDermott said: “The scoreline was harsh because the first 40 minutes was as tough as any Super League game we’ve been involved in.
“But we nailed a couple of plays after half time and that gave us some breathing space.”
Leeds looked comfortable early on with Watkins and Sutcliffe contributing to each other’s tries.
But Featherstone struck back when Misi Taulapapa intercepted a Brett Ferres pass, Luke Cooper continued the move and when Anthony Thackeray’s pass was knocked down, the scrum half followed through to touch down. There were still only four points in it after 33 minutes.
Then Joel Moon escaped two tackles to score and Sutcliffe added a conversion and penalty.
The Rhinos moved up several gears after the restart. Sutcliffe broke for Watkins to finish, a Danny McGuire kick led to Mitch Achurch touching down and then Carl Ablett crashed over.
Tom Briscoe juggled a Watkins pass to score and Sutcliffe grabbed his second before the home side countered briefly.
Luke Briscoe and Taulapapa’s break ended with Ian Hardman being held down for too long and pressure on coach Laurent Frayssinous. Broughton’s terrific first-half effort proved the highlight, while fellow winger Fouad Yaha finished with a well-taken hat-trick.
The Vikings now face six more matches with virtually no prospect of making the four, although avoiding the Qualifiers allows coach Denis Betts to plan for next year.
But this was Catalans’ night, and the Dragons now face what looks certain to be a decisive trip to Saints on Friday night.
Gears
Jimmy Keinhorst sin-binned. But instead of stemming the tide, Leeds kicked on again – scoring further tries through Moon and two from Watkins.
Rovers could take comfort in a record summer era crowd of 6,671 and a gutsy effort from several of their players.
Coach Jon Sharp said: “Leeds were absolutely outstanding from start to finish.
“They looked like a Grand Final team, but I thought we had a real dig.”
FEATHERSTONE.– Try: Thackeray; Goal: Briggs.
LEEDS.– Tries: Watkins 4, Sutcliffe 2, Moon 2, Achurch, Ablett, T Briscoe; Goals: Sutcliffe 9.
ATTENDANCE: 6,671.