Kevin Sinfield inspired Leeds to a 48-16 win over Huddersfield
Last Updated: 16/05/15 7:14pm
Kevin Sinfield produced a man of the match performance to steer Leeds into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a 48-16 win over Huddersfield.
The former England captain had been dropped for the Rhinos' two previous Super League games but revelled on his return as Leeds cruised to a first win in four matches.
Sinfield, who displaced his likely successor Liam Sutcliffe, created one of two tries for England centre Kallum Watkins and kicked 16 points in their sixth-round tie at Headingley.
Sinfield, who ended his long wait to get his hands on the Challenge Cup last August, now needs just four more points to draw level with Gus Risman in third place in the list of all-time leading scorers in the game.
Huddersfield were the last team to beat Leeds in this competition but they were desperately disappointing in a largely one-sided contest.
Watkins was gifted the first try, scooping up the ball after a careless offload by Huddersfield full-back Scott Grix just 10 metres out from the Leeds line, and handed his second on a plate by the silky skills of Sinfield, who beat Danny Brough before sending out a one-handed pass.
Hall then took Zak Hardaker's pass to produce a trademark powerful finish while Aiton touched down in fortuitous fashion after defender Leroy Cudjoe's attempted clearance kick struck a post and landed at his feet.
Sinfield kicked a third conversion to make it 22-0 but Huddersfield have demonstrated a habit of rallying against Leeds and grabbed a lifeline when scrum-half Kyle Wood jinked his way over for a try five minutes before the break.
Leeds scored a fifth try on 51 minutes when Hall was halted in his pursuit of the line but squeezed out a pass for the supporting Danny McGuire to go over. Sinfield kicked his fourth conversion and increased his side's lead to 30-4 with a penalty.
Too strong for Giants
Leeds strengthened then strengthened their grip with two further tries in a five-minute spell.
Prop Adam Cuthbertson forced his way over from close range and Hall supported a break by Danny McGuire to grab his second.
The Giants demonstrated their spirit by carving out consolation tries through Brett Ferres, back earlier than expected from an ankle injury, and Grix which were both converted by skipper Brough.
But Leeds had the final say when Carl Ablett picked up a stray pass from Brough to go over for their eighth try and Sinfield kicked his eighth goal from nine attempts.
