Tigers scored five tries to two, with Singleton – a treble-winner for Leeds 11 years ago – playing the opening quarter and final 10 minutes and missing a touchline conversion late on.
Both clubs fielded a young side, but Tigers had more players with first team experience and that told at the end of each half, to the delight of assistant-boss Scott Murrell, who coached the team.
He said: “We spoke before the game about trying to put out there what we’ve been doing in pre-season. We’ve got a new head-coach and to see those young kids do what we’ve practiced was outstanding.”
Leeds scored first through winger Tom Richardson, but tries by second-rower Sam Grice and half-back Jenson Windley – off a superb break by Louis Senior – sent Tigers in at the break 12-4 ahead.
Rhinos got back into it in spectacular fashion through a brilliant long-range touchdown by rugby union convert Oscar Brown early in the second half and it was nip and tuck until the final 10 minutes when Cas added tries by Taylor Sharpe, Sean Coughlan and Mitch Beedle.
Chev Walker, Leeds’ reserves coach, said: “The boys are disappointed, but they look too far into results, not where they are at on their journey. It is about their development and it was a good experience for them. I am pleased with their attitudes towards it.”
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