Leeds claim Bev Risman Trophy

Leeds have won inaugural Bev Risman Trophy with a comprehensive 37-12 victory against the Leigh Centurions at Headingley.

The trophy will be contested between both sides, as long as they are in the same division, in honour of Risman who represented both clubs – he won the Challenge Cup and the Championship during his time with Leeds.

Leeds also leapfrogged Leigh to top of the pile at the end of the Qualifiers.

Just four minutes into the game and the Rhinos were down to 12 men after Jamie Jones Buchanan was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Greg Worthington.

The Centurions failed to make the extra man count as it was Leeds who posted the try of the evening, Brett Ferres crashing over after James Segeyaro’s pass out of dummy half.

Leeds took an 8-0 lead with 15 minutes of the first half left, Jimmy Keinhorst diving over in the corner after Joel Moon’s pass.

Keinhorst had his second try of the match after being put in by Stevie Ward.

Just as Matty Dawson was held up over the line, James Segeyaro crossed the whitewash down the other end after intercepting Josh Drinkwater’s kick before running 80 metres.

Kallum Watkins kicked his first conversion of the season to add the extras.

Sam Hopkins did manage to cross over just before the interval to give the Centurions hope of coming back into the match.

Just like in the first half, Leeds started the stronger of the two sides after half-time, Ashton Golding squeezing over underneath the sticks after Ward’s pass.

Joel Moon added his name to score sheet for the Rhinos after a brilliant run from Golding.

Just before the hour and Dawson clawed some points back for the Centurions with a try before Martin Ridyard added the extras.

Tom Briscoe squashed any slender hopes Leigh had of achieving a positive result, taking Moon’s kick before touching down.

A moon drop goal then sealed a 25-point victory for the Rhinos.