Rhinos charge past Hull

Leeds began their bid for a first Challenge Cup success for 11 years with a 48-24 demolition of Hull at the KC Stadium.

The three-time defending Super League champions have not lifted the cup since 1999 and have lost three finals since then, but were hugely impressive in a dominant display against the Black and Whites.

Hull famously beat the Rhinos in the 2005 showpiece but had no answer to Leeds' power and pace - and the finishing of Ryan Hall.

The England winger scored four tries, while there were further scores from Carl Ablett, Brent Webb (2) and Ian Kirke, while skipper Kevin Sinfield kicked eight goals.

The Rhinos almost edged ahead inside five minutes, but video referee Steve Ganson rightly disallowed a try to Leeds winger Lee Smith after slow-motion replays indicated a foot in touch.

There was no reason to dispute Hull's opening try, which went to England winger Tom Briscoe after he won the race to Willie Manu's pinpoint kick to the corner.

The visitors drew level on 12 minutes when second rower Ablett fended off full-back Jordan Tansey, a former Leeds team-mate, to touch down for his side's first try.

Sinfield converted and extended his side's lead to 8-4 with a 40-metre penalty.

Hull levelled in fortuitous fashion, Tansey scoring after Tom Briscoe's pass ricocheted off Ablett, and Danny Tickle's superb conversion edged the home side in front at 10-8.

Crisp handling

But that was as good as it got for the hosts as Leeds began to show the invention and crisp handling that characterised their hat-trick of Grand Final triumphs.

Ablett came up with a break to get Kiwi full-back Webb racing for the line, big second rower Kirke bounced off Tansey to touch down and Hall completed a memorable hat-trick either side of half-time.

Hall's second try was a scintillating effort which he initiated by keeping the ball alive as he was about to be bundled into touch. Keith Senior and Ablett then combined to get Rob Burrow scurrying for the line before Webb sent out the final pass to the powerful winger.

Trailing 36-10, Hull stemmed the onslaught and centre Richard Whiting pulled a try back on 54 minutes after a sustained spell of pressure on the visitors' line.

But Leeds were simply irresistible and Webb touched down Burrow's grubber kick to claim his second try.

Hull grabbed further late consolation tries through substitute Jordan Turner and Whiting, but Leeds had the final say when Hall intercepted Whiting's kick and sprinted 90 metres unopposed to the line.