Match Report

St Helens 10 Leeds Rhinos 14

Friday 28th March 2008, Knowsley Road Stadium.

As the Rhinos stepped out into the ankle-deep puddles of the cracking Knowsley Road car park, it must have hit them that this was going to be one hell of a encounter - especially when they have to temper the elements.

As the announcer that you could hardly hear read out the squads, it was clear that for the Rhinos, Tansey and Jones-Bishop were dropped out of the 19 man squad, announced by Bluey earlier this week. As expected, Ryan Hall covered for Lee Smith who picked up a knock last week against Hull FC and Kylie Leuluai returned after suffering from concussion. Saints however looked as if their squad was complete apart from long term injuries on Sculthorpe and Cunningham. Cayless made his first appearance in Super League XIII after his close season surgery.

The opening exchanges of the game were promising for Leeds. The first points however were a penalty - and boy were we going to see quite a few of those! Saints were ruled offside by referee Klein and skipper Kevin Sinfield opted to take the 2. But JJB and Danny McGuire both walked off the field injured within the space of 10 minutes. This could have been costly for the Rhinos, but the lads re-grouped.

On 12 minutes it looked like Pryce had slid over the tryline, but Phil Bentham (video ref) sent the message out to the screen, 'NO TRY', for double movement. Only 16 minutes later, Long's boot leveled up the game after Worral gift wrapped the Saints a penalty on the 20 metre mark.

On 22 minutes, the home side took the lead after indiscipline from Bailey earned Long the chance at goal again. Sean Long converted for a 4-2 lead over the World Champions.

Leeds suddenly started to put immense pressure onto the Saints line in front of the Rhinos fans behind the sticks, and finally, the St. Helens line cracked on 27 minutes. Keith Senior was tackled short of the line but Webb managed to dummy and then pass quickly to Lauitiiti who ran on the angle to sail through the gap in the defence. Sinfield converted from the touchline on an acute angle. The visitors were ahead 8-4. That was a superb kick - just watch the game back on Sky to really see how bad the conditions were.

Ryan Hall made a costly error from the kick off when he allowed the ball to slip under his body and the ball consequently went dead. Only 2 tackles later after the drop out, Leeds were penalised for a high tackle on a Saints attacker on 31. Sean Long scored on this occasion, although 2 subsequent easy looking penalties were missed in the remainder of the half. Maybe Long was looking for his caravan?

Leeds went into half time in the lead by 2 points, but the lads would have the advantage of the wind on their backs. The weather wasn't improving and the pitch was turning into a mud bath.

Early in the second half, a high kick to the corner was chased hard by Donald, who lept above the defenders, and appeared to get a hand to the ball. But the video ref ruled it 'NO TRY'.

A careless tackle on half way by front row forward Ali led to Saints playing the ball within 10 metres of the Leeds line. They moved the ball quickly to their left and despite their best efforts, Leeds were short on the wing and Wellens dived through to score. Long failed to convert but the Saints were still in the lead on 48. Saints 10 Leeds 8.

When awarded a penalty on 52 minutes, Sinfield elected to kick for the 2, but unusually, he missed as the ball slid towards the post.

After Leon Pryce interfered with the play the ball, the Rhinos earned a penalty which resulted in a tap, 15 metres from the Saints line. From the next play the ball, Luke Burgess powered forward, burrowed over and under 4 experienced World class Saints defenders, to ground the ball bang on the line. Captain Kev converted to make the score 14-10 to the Rhinos.

During the last 15 minutes of this spine tingling encounter, Saints put enormous  pressure on the Leeds defence, forcing many goal line dropouts. In what was the final Saints attack, they spread the ball out to their left. The Leeds defence tracked across before Gareth Ellis managed to tackle Meli making him unable to pass yet further out to the wing to Talau. We then managed to run the clock down, making no mistakes.

What a game this was! The sliding defence from Leeds was superb. This has to be the biggest test that Leeds have faced this season, and they took the 2 points from it. You really can't ask for more from this outstanding Leeds outfit.

Next up for the Rhinos: Wigan!

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