Leeds hadn’t beaten St Helens for over two years in all
competitions, and it is ten seasons since the Rhinos last victory over tonight’s
hosts in the Challenge Cup, Leeds exiting the competition in round four last
season when they lost at Headingley by 20-6.
Despite form and history being heavily in the home sides
favour, they were only handicapped by twelve points on the coupon, the bookies firmly
favouring a home win but not by the margin that many of those travelling over
the Pennines feared.
Both coaches named strong sides for the clash which was
broadcast live on The Sportsman with a place in Monday evenings quarter final
draw the prize on offer for the eventual victors.
Both sides started brightly but defences were on top in the
early exchanges.
With nineteen minutes on the clock the Rhinos forced a goal
line drop out and after good possession for Leeds, Saints interfered at the
play the ball giving Jake Connor a simple penalty goal to put the Rhinos ahead.
On twenty-five an acrobatic score from Kyle Feldt, leaping
in at the right-hand corner to ground one-handed. Mark Percival added the
touchline conversion and on their first real attack of the game, the home side
had taken the lead.
After sustaining seven minutes of Rhinos offence, Saints turned
defence into attack thanks to a great break from Harry Robertson down the right
wing before he drew in the Rhinos full back before releasing Tristan Sailor to go
in. Percival was on target again, Saints having been second best for most of
the game, were 12-2 up.
The shackles were off for Saints in fifty-three as they went
in for their third try of the night. Matt Whitley was on hand to take a pass
from Jonny Lomax and go through a big gap in the Rhinos defence for an easy
score. Percival failed to add the conversion, the easiest of the night for 16-2,
the mountain now looking too steep for the visitors.
On fifty-seven it was game over. Robertson collected a
Sailor grubber as he went between two Leeds defenders, span around on the line
and dotted down. Percival was back on target for a 22-2 lead, Saints already in
the next round and it looking like a long last twenty for the Rhinos.
With eighteen minutes remaining the Rhinos finally opened
their try account for the game, Ash Handley rising above the Saints defence to
take a Brodie Croft chip and drop over the line to score. Connor added the
conversion for 8-22.
With just over three minutes remaining on the clock the
Rhinos went in again, Harry Newman taking the pass, throwing a dummy, and going
between two tacklers to ground. Connor added the conversion for 14-22.
A devastating ten-minute second half spell won the game for
Saints after they scored three unanswered tries to slay a plucky Rhinos side
who had acquitted themselves well up to that point. Leeds had the better of the
first half but still trailed at the interval, and they came good in the closing
stages after Saints had the game already won. Saints into the quarter final
hat, the Rhinos season still not properly underway.
St Helens: Welsby, Feldt (T), Robertson (T), Percival (G 2/3),
Bennison, Sailor (T), Lomax, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Batchelor, Knowles.
Subs: Whitley (T), Paasi, Wingfield, Delaney. 18th Man: Bell.
Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Lumb, Newman (T), Handley (T), Hall,
Croft, Connor (G 3/3), Oledzki, Ackers, Jenkins, Bentley, McDonnell, Palasia. Subs:
Gannon, Lisone, Nicholson-Watton, Sinfield. 18th Man: O’Connor.
Half-Time: 6-2.
Full-Time: 22-14.
Score Progression: 0-2, 4-2, 6-2 : HT:10-2, 12-2, 16-2, 20-2, 22-2, 22-6, 22-8,
22-12, 22-14 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: Leeds – St Helens.
Referee: Liam Moore.
