Leeds Rhinos 54 Warrington Wolves 16.

WOLVES' bid to hit form before the play-offs was dealt a blow when they suffered a heavy defeat at Leeds on Friday.

The trip to Headingley was the start of their three-match run-in but a ninth defeat in 12 games was not the outcome they were hoping for.

Only freak results can now prevent Wolves reaching the play-offs but they will need to perform better if they are to make a mark in the top six shoot-out.

Wolves had thrashed Leeds 44-16 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in May but, without suspended prop Paul Rauhihi, they looked a shadow of that side.

Ben Westwood had a try ruled out for a double movement in the opening stages - as he had done against Harlequins in June - before Jamie Thackray broke through Logan Swann's tackle to put Leeds ahead with his first try for the club.

Chris Leikvoll's offload allowed Michael Sullivan to level the scores in the 12th minute, with Lee Briers' conversion putting them ahead, but Thackray raced more than half the length of the field to restore Leeds' lead.

Scott Donald extended the home side's advantage after beating Richie Barnett to Kevin Sinfield's bomb, but Barnett - making his first start since June - zipped down the line to put Wolves back in contention.

A Sinfield penalty and tries from Ali Lauitiiti and 19-year-old winger Ashley Gibson put Rhinos in command at the break and, although Logan Swann gave Wolves hope with a 44th-minute effort, Leeds cruised to a convincing victory in the second period.

Donald grabbed his second try of the match with a 70-metre sprint to the line, while Keith Senior completed a hat-trick.

Assists from Sinfield and Lauitiiti supplied tries for the Great Britain centre either side of an error from Wolves substitute winger Chris Riley.