Leeds Rhinos ran home eight tries as the Super League leaders comfortably overcame their nearest rivals 46-18 to move three points clear at the top of the table this evening.

Kallum Watkins opened the scoring when he muscled his way over in the corner inside the opening eight minutes.

Kyle Leuluai then doubled the lead with a try on his 250th appearance for the Rhinos, before Ryan Hall got in on the action to make it 18-0 after just 15 minutes.

After a missed drop goal attempt from Kevin Sinfield, the home side went further ahead when Ash Handley touched down on the stroke of half time to take the score to 22-0 at the break.

Josh Jones pulled one back for the visitors within a minute of the restart, but a quick-fire double from Carl Ablett and Handley reasserted the home side's dominance.

However, Jordan Turner went over for St Helens just before the hour mark and Kyle Amor just after to bring the away side to within 14.

Just as the fightback seemed on, Handley completed his hat-trick and Hall grabbed his second try of the night to wrap up a comprehensive victory for Leeds.