SAINTS STAND TALL
PHIL CAPLAN Totally Wicked Stadium, Friday
ST HELENS 18
LEEDS RHINOS 4
ULTRA-COMMITTED defence across the side, coupled with Leeds’ inability to hold the ball for any lengthy period, saw St Helens re-ignite their push for the top four despite their injury worries.
One of the great Super League rivalries, Saints knocked Leeds out of the Challenge Cup this season while the Rhinos’ five-match unbeaten run coming into this clash began against Saints at Magic Weekend.
Leeds were unchanged for the second time this season while Saints, without George Whitby, Joe Batchelor and Curtis Sironen, moved Moses Mbye to the halves and his kicking game was excellent throughout.
Saints coach Paul Wellens labelled this victory as their “best performance of the season so far”.
It was a first win over one of this year’s leading four sides and brings them within two points of Leeds, who went into the weekend third.