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LEEDS REPORTS 2008
Picture Senior - crossed for two tries.

Leeds 34 Catalans 6

By Ross Heppenstall, PA Sport

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Scott Donald and Keith Senior both scored twice as Leeds warmed up for the World Club Challenge by ruthlessly dispatching Catalans to maintain their 100% start to engage Super League XIII.

The Rhinos face Australian NRL champions Melbourne Storm at Elland Road next Friday and will aim to add the trophy to the Super League title they won in such style last season.

For the first time since taking the helm at Headingley, Leeds coach Brian McClennan named the side which beat St Helens 33-6 in last season's Grand Final and which looks certain to start against Melbourne.

It is a team packed with pace, power and creativity and although Catalans gave them a rude awakening with an early touchdown from Demitri Pelo, Leeds replied with seven tries of their own.

Donald was the prime beneficiary, scoring in clinical fashion either side of the break to take his season tally to five with Senior also touching down in both halves.

Ian Kirke, Danny McGuire and Ali Lauitiiti added further scores as the reigning champions cantered to their fourth straight win.

That they did so without hitting top gear was heartening for McClennan as he prepares for a game which could see his men crowned world champions.

And yet the manner in which Catalans cut Leeds apart to open the scoring in the eighth minute raised eyebrows on all four sides of Headingley.

Dragons full-back Clint Greenshields embarked on a brilliant 40-metre from just inside Leeds' half.

A clever offload found John Wilson in support and his short neat pass sent Pelo scuttling over in the left corner to stun the reigning champions.

The try poured confidence into the Frenchman and some obstinate defending threatened to keep the Rhinos at bay.

Leeds responded strongly but the Catalans' outstanding defence held firm until Donald took Senior's offload and crashed over the line in the 17th minute.

Five minutes later Leeds had their second as more slick handling saw the ball pass through several pairs of hands and culminated in Senior bustling his way over in the same spot as Donald.

Skipper Kevin Sinfield failed to convert either try but he did not falter from under the posts after young replacement Kirke stepped off the bench to squeeze over shortly before half-time.

Catalans refused to buckle after the break but they were powerless to stop Donald from racing clear into his favoured left corner within six minutes of the restart after good work from Ryan Bailey.

McGuire sprinted through to dive under the posts for a fifth try in the 63rd minute and Rob Burrow added the extras before Senior scored the try of the night with a brilliant break down the left flank which Sinfield converted.

There was still time for hulking Kiwi Lauitiiti to step off the bench and barge his way over in the closing stages for a try which Sinfield failed to convert.

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