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Bluey gave three youngsters a great opportunity to show their full potential as the Rhinos took on the Celtic Crusaders, one of the 19 that have applied for a Super League licence next year, at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium in the 6th round of the Carnegie Challenge cup to ensure their place in the 5th round draw on Tuesday.

Ben Jones-Bishop was the young gun that impressed the most - he came in for Brent Webb at full back whilst Kallum Watkins was named at centre in place of the injured Gareth Ellis (ankle). The final debutant was forward Danny Allan, who was amongst the replacements on the bench.

The opening exhanges of the game were impressive for both sides, it was evident that the Welsh opposition wanted to start quick to unsettle the young Leeds outfit.

But Celtic couldn't unsettle the Rhinos too much as the first try of the game came after only 7 minutes. Danny McGuire made a break at the midpoint of the field and found Jones-Bishop in support. Bishop sprinted downfield, attempting to score his first try for the Super League champions but was tackled just short of the line.

Moments later and Sinfield noticed spare men out wide. Captain Kev's cross kick was collected well by the 17yr old centre, Watkins, but he managed to off-load out wide to Smith, who scored in the corner. Sinfield failed to convert the touchline kick, but the Rhinos still had a 4 point lead.

Leeds then started to put monumental pressure onto the NL1 side's line. It wasn't long before the quality of the Leeds outfit showed, and the Rhinos turned that pressure into points thanks to Super League top try scorer, Scott Donald. Sinfield failed add the extras again but the home side were in the lead, 8-0, after only 11 minutes of play.

The next try was the best so far - Ben Jones-Bishop was involved again, powering back into the line from full back. He provided a reverse pass the Senior who then steamed his way up field before releasing the ball to the pocket rocket, Rob Burrow, who dived over between the sticks, completing a superb 70 metre move. Sinfield converted and we were well on our way. Leeds now had a 14 point lead.

But tides turned and Celtic weren't here just to make up the numbers, the started to put tension on the home sides line. In the last 10 minutes of the opening half, the Crusaders managed to score a couple of tries.

The first came from Welsh International Anthony Blackwood after Neil Budworth, Jace Van Dijk, David Tangata -Toa and Mark Dalle Cort combined well.

The second Crusaders try came with only 3 minutes remainding the half. Blackwood went over for his second after Leeds' Watkins was penalised for being offside when Lee Smith knocked on, 5 metres from his own line. Lennon added the extras to make the half time score 14-10 to the Rhinos.

Straight after the restart, the fired up Rhinos were back on the scoreboard. Debutant Danny Allan earned a penalty 5 metres away from the Celts line. Danny McGuire at dummy half flicked the ball to Matt Diskin who went over the whitewash for his sides 4th try of the evening. Sinfield found his boot to make the score 20-10.

Celtic responded with some strong pressure, but when Burgess got the ball, he made good metres towards the half way line. Burrow took advantage, keeping the move going with one of his trademark breaks. The attack finished when McGuire drilled a loose ball ahea, diving in the in goal area to score. Sinny's kicking was back on track, and the Rhinos were leading 26 points to 10 after 56 minutes.

Less than 10 minutes later and Leeds were in again. The Crusaders knocked on and from the resulting tackles, the Rhinos kept the ball alive on the left hand side. The ball went through Sinfield and Scruton before Kallum Watkins grabbed a pass from Danny Williams to score a try. Sinfield added the extras, making the score 32-10.

On the 73 minute mark, Keith Senior added yet more points to the tally as he spun out of a tackle, enabling him to reach out into the corner, beating Ballard. Burrow added the 2 points from touchline, meaning that the Rhinos had a more than comfortable lead with only 7 minutes remainding on the clock. 38-10 was the score.

But the Celtic Crusaders had the final say. Gareth Dean was held up although the opposition fed the ball down the line before it reached Webster who passed to Dalle Cort who found a gap in the Leeds line. Lennon added the conversion to make the final score 38-16 to the Leeds Rhinos, securing a place in the 5th round draw.

After the performance the Celts put up last night, they probably do deserve a licence, but the question is, can you really deny a franchise to clubs like Widnes, who have just rebranded themselves and have a new stadium already built?

Next up for the Rhinos are Hull KR are Cravern Park. That's always a tough one but lets hope we can get a few bodies back from injury!

Leeds Rhinos: Jones-Bishop, Smith, Watkins, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Scruton, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield.

Subs: Williams, Burgess, Allan, Kaye.

Celtic Crusaders: Lennon, Ballard, Hannay, Dalle Cort, Blackwood, Quinn, Van Dijk, James, Budworth, Dean, Beasley, Mapp, Wyatt.

Subs: Webster, Summers, I'Anson, Tangata-Toa.

Referee: Phil Bentham

Video Referee: N/A

Crowd: 5,087

Live On: N/A

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