Leeds Rhinos winger Ash Handley scored his second hat-trickof the season against St Helens at Headingley tonight, as the Rhinos coasted to a 46-18 victory over their nearest challengers in the
St Helens made numerous mistakes in the first half, and it began in the first tackle when Kyle Amor knocked on a simple pass from Mark Percival.
Within 14 minutes Leeds had taken an 18-0 lead through tries from Kallum Watkins, Kylie Leuluai and Ryan Hall, all converted by captain Kevin Sinfield, with Saints offering little resistance.
Jimmy Keinhorst then had a try disallowed for Leeds for a knock-on, while James Roby was denied a try at the other end of the same reason.
Both sides continued to make mistakes, but the Rhinos increased their lead two minutes before the break when Carl Ablett gave a smart pass to Ash Handley who crossed in the corner, too far out for Sinfield to convert.
Saints were the first to score in the second half, when Josh Jones touched down a Luke Walsh kick, with Percival adding the goal.
But Carl Ablett and Handley responded with two more tries, before Saints again hit back with tries from Turner and Kyle Amor, with Percival converting both for a score of 32-18 after 65 minutes.
But the Rhinos once again stamped their authority on the game with a magnificent hat-trick try from Handley and a second from Hall, both converted by Sinfield.
