Men V Boys - Rhinos V Workington - Match Report

By Ben Hill
March 31 2007

Tony Smith said we had answered a few critics with the lads stunning 72-10 win over Workington Town to book our places in the 5th round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. We bring you all the action here

Men V Boys - Leeds Rhinos V Workington Town - Match Report

Source: SportingLife.com - Sorry we were not at the game!

Tony Smith insisted Leeds' crushing Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round victory over Workington answered any questions about the commitment of his players in the wake of his appointment as Great Britain boss.

The Rhinos coach watched his side hammer National League Two minnows Workington 72-10 after running in 13 tries.

Smith, who has failed to win any trophies in his past two seasons at Headingley, was this week appointed as Lions coach on a part-time basis which will become full-time at the end of the season, when his Leeds contract expires.

"There's speculation about my new position that the Leeds players wouldn't respond well to it," said Smith.

"I think they were quite hurt by that and they showed their intentions that we're here as a group and looking to do something special for the rest of the season.

"I think that was a fair statement out there and it probably answers all those people who may have doubted our intention for the remainder of the year."

Challenge Cup glory at the rebuilt Wembley would represent a dream end to Smith's tenure at Leeds as he bids to bow out on a high before taking full-time charge of the Lions.

And his side got their campaign off to the perfect start with a crushing victory over Workington's collection of farmers, labourers and Sellafield workers.

Australian wing Scott Donald claimed four tries before the break, Jordan Tansey crossed twice while skipper Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow also touched down.

Burrow claimed two more tries after the break to complete his hat-trick, while Ali Lauitiiti, Matt Diskin and Carl Ablett also registered.

Sinfield landed eight goals and Burrow claimed two but Workington had the final say when wing Stephen Dawes and second row Darryn King touched down in the closing stages.

Smith, who made nine appearances for Workington in the inaugural Super League season, added: "There was a real unselfishness about all our tries tonight.

"There were a few occasions when the players probably could have gone over but they were looking for their mate and they showed what a great camaraderie there is between the players.

"Winning the Challenge Cup would be a dream but there's plenty of other sides thinking the same thing."

Workington coach Ged Stokes said: "The boys probably displayed everything you want in a rugby league player.

"They had desire, commitment, courage and all those things that I think are a pre-requisite when you sign a player.

"We've been struggling to display those things lately but those two tries were just reward for our efforts."