It was scruffy at times, but Leeds Rhinos recovered from their defeat at home to Wigan Warriors six days earlier, stretching their lead at the top of the engage Super League to four points after the Warriors were beaten by Catalans Dragons.

A more confident side than Warrington Wolves would surely have made more of the opportunities that came their way last night. After a convincing enough first half, they faded badly in sliding to a third successive defeat that leaves them six points adrift of Leeds.

Leeds eventually ran the Wolves to ground, the only downside for them being an ankle injury that forced the replacement of Gareth Ellis, the Great Britain forward, after 15 minutes, although Ryan Bailey impressed in a wide-running second row role.

Having capitalised on a strong start, Warrington failed to build on Louis Anderson bursting on to a short pass by Michael Monaghan that prised open Leeds’ normally miserly defence.

Without looking especially dangerous early on, and missing the guile of the injured Danny McGuire, the home team were eventually lifted by a clattering tackle by Bailey on Adrian Morley. But, as the Warrington captain dusted himself down, a clutch of his teammates failed to nail down Scott Donald out wide. The prolific wing wriggled out of their clutches and burst 40 metres for a try, converted by Kevin Sinfield, who landed a further penalty goal, as the Wolves strayed offside in front of their posts, in putting Leeds 8-6 up at the break.

They extended their lead when an innocuous-looking pass by Rob Burrow dribbled along the ground and was swooped on by Brent Webb, who presented Donald with his second try. Sinfield once more added the goal and a subsequent penalty.

Warrington’s fading hopes were extinguished by Jon Clarke’s visit to the sin-bin in the 59th minute for persistently being offside. Leeds instantly made their extra man count. Sinfield and Webb combined wide on the right for Carl Ablett to dive over and Sinfield landed the fifth of his six successful kicks from the touchline.

Just before their return to a full complement, Monaghan’s wide pass brought Warrington a second try, by Chris Hicks, but they were undone again by the scampering Burrow. Morley had done magnificently to scythe down Jordan Tansey, but the little scrum half was on hand to pick up the pieces with the try, before a further score at the end by Luke Burgess.

Scorers: Leeds Rhinos: Tries: Donald 2, Ablett, Burrow, Burgess. Goals: Sinfield 6. Warrington Wolves: Tries: L Anderson, Hicks. Goals: Hicks 2.

Leeds Rhinos: B Webb; L Smith, C Ablett, K Senior, S Donald; K Sinfield, R Burrow; K Leuluai, M Diskin, R Bailey, J Peacock, G Ellis, J Tansey. Interchange: N Scruton, L Burgess, B Kaye, D Williams.
Warrington Wolves: S Reardon; C Hicks, Martin Gleeson, M King, K Penny; V Anderson, M Monaghan; A Morley, J Clarke, P Rauhihi, L Anderson, R Parker, A Bracek. Interchange: Mark Gleeson, C Riley, B Harrison, L Mitchell.

Referee: I Smith.