Building on the previous week's workmanlike demolition of Castleford, the Rhinos fronted up and combined flair with hard graft.

Despite going behind to a Mark Calderwood breakaway try – which featured an interminable four-minute decision making wait by video ref Steve Ganson – Leeds quickly got themselves back in the game.

First half tries from Brent Webb, Luke Burgess, Lee Smith and Kylie Leuluai, all converted by Kevin Sinfield, gave the visitors a good 24-10 lead at the break. They made the perfect start to the second half when Sinfield's kick-off found touch and from the scrum Webb danced through some weak defence for his second try.

Further tries from Ali Lauitiiti, Keith Senior, Smith and Kallum Watkins, with Sinfield taking his tally to eight goals made for a happy journey home for the Rhinos supporters.

Lauitiiti and Gareth Ellis were outstanding in the opening period, backed up by Jamie Peacock and Leuluai, to tire the home side and allow Matt Diskin, Danny McGuire, Sinfield and Rob Burrow to be the creative heart of a fine all-round performance.

It's Wembley on Saturday for St Helens v Hull in the Challenge Cup final. Despite a White Rose preference, it's difficult to see Hull halting Saints achieving a hat-trick of wins.

It would be wrong not to mention the passing of Don Fox, whose name will always be linked with the Challenge Cup and for all the wrong reasons.

The downpours before and half-time should have brought the abandonment of the 1968 final. But 40 years ago the trip to London was still an adventure (the M1 only went from London to Nottingham) and to do so would have been a financial disaster.

So the game went on and what could have been a classic final between Leeds and Wakefield Trinity was turned into a farce. Leeds brought the trophy home, thanks to the most infamous missed kicked in rugby league history.

But Don Fox played with distinction for many years with Featherstone Rovers – where he still holds the try-scoring record – and Wakefield, winning a couple of Great Britain caps along the way. He is still revered by elderly spectators at Post Office Road and Belle Vue and should be remembered as one of the outstanding players of the 1950s and 60s.