Leeds Carnegie ran in five tries to get their European Challenge Cup campaign off to the perfect start at Headingley Carnegie with a 35-18 win over French side Castres.
Stuart Lancaster's side returned to European rugby on a chilly night at Headingley Carnegie and after three disappointing performances in recent weeks the home side were out to show what they were made of.
They made a great start when Alberto Di Bernardo gave Leeds the lead after just eight minutes from a penalty. Leeds had put Castres under pressure in their own quarter after a number of good moves had seen the home side move up field. Eventually, the pressure told and Welsh referee James Jones awarded the kick in front of the posts 24 metres out.
It got even better for Stuart Lancaster's side four minutes later when a great break by Fijian winger Apo Satala was rewarded with a score. He powered his way down the South Stand touchline before throwing a hanging pass back inside and Joe Bedford was in support to collect and go over for the try. Unfortunately, Di Bernardo was off target with the conversion but Leeds not lead 8-0.
Castres settled into the game after that and used their forward pack to control possession. Having earlier missed a drop goal from distance, they finally got off the mark after 17 minutes when full back Romain Teulet kicked a penalty after Leeds were caught offside 20 metres from their own posts.
Di Bernardo and Teulet then traded penalties before Leeds scored their second try of the night and it came from an unlikely source. Leeds had shown great continuity to keep the ball alive and then Di Bernardo spotted a two man overlap out wide and kicked to the corner. The unusual element of the move was that the two wide players were prop Mike MacDonald and hooker Vili Ma'asi, the latter astutely caught the ball and sprinted for the corner to score. Di Bernardo was unlucky with the conversion attempt which just went wide but Leeds had increased their lead to 16-6, which is how it remained until half time.
Leeds continued to build pressure at the start of the second half and got their reward when Castres had back row Gambo Adamou sin binned after 43 minutes for persistent infringements at the ruck. The home side sensed their opportunity and three minutes later Andy Tuilagi powered his way over from close range for stretching out to score. Di Bernardo added the conversion to make it 23-6.
Castre to their credit came back at Leeds and crossed for their first try of the night through Leiataua Tomiki after 50 minutes. Teulet added the conversion to make it 23-13 and put the game back in the balance.
However, Leeds took the game away from the visitors in a ten minute spell either side of the hour mark. There was much confusion over the first try which was eventually awarded to Danny Paul after a long consultation between referee and touch judge that secured the bonus point however there was no doubt over the fiftth try from Tom Biggs. He out jumped the defender as he chased a kick down field and then burst through in midfield before diving over the line to cap a great night for Leeds. Di Bernardo converted the latter try to make it 35-13 to the home side after 62 minutes.
Leeds were reduced to 14 men five minutes later when Andy Tuilagi was sin binned for a high tackle and Castres took advantage when replacement Gerhard Vosloo powered his way over from close range.
However, that could not take the shine of a very good performance from Stuart Lancaster side as they got their European campaign off to a perfect start.
Leeds Carnegie: Hinton, Satala, Hepworth, Tuilagi, Biggs, Di Bernardo, Bedford, MacDonald, Ma'asi, Hooper, Lund, Paul, Clark, Oakley
Replacements: Parkes for Ma'asi (54), McGee for Noon (65), Bouza for Lund (62), Stitcher for Oakley (65), Brooks, Vickerman for Hepworth (59), Holtby for Satala (69).
Castres Olympique: Teulet, Lapeyre, Banassis, Mazars, Bourret, Lagardere, Senio, Forestier, Bonnello, Ducalcon, Tekori, Gaston, Tomiki, Adamou, Faure.
Replacements: Giorgadze for Bonnello (69), Meeuws, Saayman for Ducalcon (59), Vosloo for Faure (54), Tillous-Borde (59), Christophers, Andre for Legardere (62)
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Attendance: 2,138