Sheridan inspires Leeds in move to top

Leeds 38 Hull 16

Leeds moved level with Bradford at the top of Super League after accounting for another of the leading group for the display that was so good, that it bordered at times on arrogant.

The Rhinos claimed their fourth big scalp of a marvellous May even if it was a victory achieved at a cost, with Wayne McDonald suspected of breaking a leg. That apart, this was an uplifting display that confirmed them as genuine contenders for their first Super League title.

Not that it began all that well, Francis Cummins marking his 100th consecutive appearance in the competition by losing a high kick to give Sean Ryan the game's first try inside the first two minutes, but Leeds barely put a foot wrong throughout the rest of the first half.

Their surge began when Kevin Sinfield sent Matt Adamson storming through and continued when Ben Walker took a return pass from Mark Calderwood for another beautifully constructed try.

Hull were briefly level when Graham Mackay kicked his second goal, but even though Craig Poucher prevented Tonie Carroll from touching down, that proved only a temporary reprieve, Ryan Sheridan sending Keith Senior charging through from the resulting scrum.

When Sinfield, Adamson, Carroll and Calderwood combined for Carroll to complete a spectacular try, Leeds further underlined their quality. As ever, Hull relied heavily on Jason Smith, whose lofted pass sent Poucher over, and, if Craig Greenhill had not knocked on after Barrie McDermott's late challenge on Tony Smith had given Hull good field position Leeds' four-point lead could have been vulnerable.

But there is tremendous confidence about Daryl Powell's side these days. "I wouldn't call it arrogance, but there is a belief in the team now that they can try things without making mistakes,'' Powell said.

Try things they did and most of them came off, starting with Sheridan's weaving solo run for the try that took the game beyond Hull again. Calderwoodforced his way over in the corner and Andy Hay rounded it all off five minutes from time.

Having beaten Bradford, Wigan, London and Hull over the last month, Leeds begin June by taking on St Helens.A clean sweep of the other big guns of the game is not beyond them.

Leeds: Walker; Calderwood, Carroll, Senior, Cummins; Sinfield, Sheridan; Ward, Diskin, McDermott, Hay, Adamson, Poching. Substitutes used: Pratt, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, McDonald.

Referee: Hull: Horne; Parker, Mackay, Kohe-Love, Poucher; Chester, T Smith; Greenhill, Last, Logan, Maher, Ryan, J Smith. Substitutes used: Bird, Cooke, Carvell.

Referee: R Connolly (Wigan).