Peacock return inspires Leeds win

Castleford (0) 6
Tries: Arundel Goals: Dixon

Leeds (12) 42
Tries: Watkins, Jones-Buchanan, Hall 2, McGuire, Burrow, McShane 2
Goals: Sinfield 8

Jamie Peacock injured his knee in last season’s corresponding game

Jamie Peacock made a winning return to action as Leeds romped to a stunning local derby win at Castleford.

And his Leeds and England colleague Danny McGuire, who has also spent the last seven months out with a knee injury, ran in a superb solo try.

After Kallum Watkins’ early try, Jamie Jones-Buchanan crossed for a 12-0 lead at the interval.

But Ryan Hall (2), McGuire, set up by Peacock’s pass, Rob Burrow and two late Paul McShane tries made it safe.

Kevin Sinfield kicked eight goals as the Rhinos enjoyed their best win of the season.

Joe Arundel did avoid the indignity of potentially being ‘nilled’ at home with a late reply before McShane’s two late cake-icing efforts.

But, although they suffered ill luck in the first half, thanks to a string of refereeing decisions that did not go their way, the Cas centre’s consolation could not ease the pain of a third straight defeat.

Leeds forward Peacock’s comeback came after eight months out following the knee operation that prematurely ended his 2010 campaign.

Peacock coincidentally suffered the knee injury on Leeds’ last trip to Cas in August, when the Rhinos won 38-6.

Peacock’s bench comeback follows McGuire’s return from injury on Monday in Leeds’ 34-16 win over Crusaders.

McGuire, who also starts on the bench against Cas, missed the first two months of the season too, after suffering a similar knee injury in Leeds’ play-off win at Wigan last September.

Cas badly missed without prop Craig Huby, who has been ruled out for at least four months after fracturing his knee.

Leeds have now won on their last three trips to Wheldon Road.

Castleford: Mathers; Dixon, Thompson, Arundel, Owen; Chase, Orr; Jackson, Milner, Snitch, Jones, Holmes, Ferres.

Replacements: Emmitt, Aspinwall, McGoldrick, Clark.

Leeds: Webb; Watkins, Delaney, Senior, Hall; Sinfield, Burrow; Leuluai, McShane, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan, Clarkson, Ablett.

Replacements: McGuire, Peacock, Cross, Kirke.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury).