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Saints were simply too hot to handle as a second half try blitz sent them to their third Grand Final in a row and Leeds to the lottery of an Eliminator.

Led superbly by the halfback partnership of Long and Pryce, Saints blew their opponents away in the second 40 with James Roby and Jon Wilkin grabbing a brace each.

Saints led a pulsating cup-tie 12-4 at the break thanks to a cracking ‘team’ try from Ade Gardner and clinical finishing from Matt Gidley.

Tries from Meli and two each from the reigning Man of Steel and Jon Wilkin sealed a great 38-10 win.

In one of the best atmospheres at the GPW Recruitment Stadium all season, Saints’ side oozed real power with Nick Fozzard on the bench and Leon Pryce returning from injury.

Leeds played their strongest possible line up also with all the main players on the field and a strong looking interchange.

In a lively and frantic opening, Paul Wellens was denied a clear-cut penalty when he was hauled down chasing Sean Long’s neat chip.

Leeds then fired a high ball on the last to test Francis Meli.

Saints then turned the next Leeds’ high ball into pure attack. Long caught the ball under his sticks and returned it with interest. The ball then went wide to Willie Talau who cut down the left hand side, turned it to Meli who went within metres.

From there, Saints always had numbers up, and right it went into the hands of Flannery, Gidley and finally Ade Gardner. Simple, but breathtaking. Long just wide with the extras.

On 13 minutes, Leeds had their first real set of six on the Saints’ line. On the last tackle a high ball flew into Meli’s wing and it looked to be spilled with several hands in the play. Ablett seemed to get his hand on it after the ball touched Meli’s shoulder, but the video referee gave Danny McGuire’s touchdown the benefit of the doubt.

Sinfield long and wide with the conversion attempt.

It was pretty full on and no holds barred opening, typified by eight penalties in the first 20 minutes from Ashley Klein.

And Saints finally benefitted from one of those decisions when the ball was worked right once again to Matt Gidley. As he has done all season, the centre was suckered in and Saints were ahead once more. Gidley’s eighth of the season. Long perfect off the touchline to make it 10-4.

On 26 minutes, Saints’ tryline defence was spot on as they defended two sets of six with Leeds on fire.

And four minutes later, they extended their lead with a neatly taken Sean Long penalty in front of the sticks.

But when Saints were penalised for back-chat and then Flannery was harshly adjudged to have knocked on metres from his own line, Leeds had pressure of their own. And after defending their third set, Leeds gifted them a knock-on to relieve the tension.

Brent Webb then took a high Pryce ball to relieve his lines.

And as the hooter sounded, Long hit the crossbar with a 40-yard penalty attempt.

Half time: Saints 12 Leeds 4

Saints had an early chance moments into the second half, but the ball was lost metres from the line.

Leeds then came, on the back of a penalty, into Saints' ten but put the ball down.

But when Saints stretched their lead, it was simply awesome. Pryce wriggled out of two tackles down the middle, then cut back inside, fired it to Roby, who in turn put it back to Pryce who then put out the perfect pass to Talau and Francis Meli. A 60-yard team pearler.

Saints were buoyed. First Fozzie scampered 30 yards then Wilkin’s chip forced a drop out. It was pressure Leeds could’ve done without – and Roby capitalised, using his upper body strength to swat off the would be tacklers and go over. His 14^th of the season.

Roby latched onto a nice pass from Cunningham to stretch the lead further – the latter displaying superb ‘show and go’ to bamboozle the defence. Long with the extras.

Wilkin then tidied up after Sinfield kindly threw the ball into his arms 30 yards out – with Long converting.

Leeds managed a consolation through Gareth Ellis 10 minutes from the end but Jon Wilkin ensured Saints had the last laugh when he touched down Long’s chip.

Long goaled to make the win as comprehensive as it can be.

After the game Daniel Anderson said: “I was in awe of the quality of performance in the second half. We played brave tonight and with the style that exemplified our season.

“I am excited to be back at Old Trafford; it was clear we needed no motivation tonight.

“Gilly was immense in the first 20 minutes – he smashed everyone who came near him. The four front rowers, Franny, Ade – all consistent and they allowed our star players to shine.”

Leeds’ Coach Brian McClennan added: “St Helens were too good for us tonight. They really got some momentum and were able to play some footie on us. I don't think we really threatened.”

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Gardner, Gidley, Meli, Roby (2), Wilkin (2)

Goals: Long (5 from 9)

Leeds:

Tries: McGuire, Ellis

Goals: Sinfield (0 from 1), Burrow (1 from 1)

Penalties:

Saints: 13

Leeds: 11

HT (Sts First): 12-4

FT (Sts First): 32-10

REF: Ashley Klein

ATT: 11,407

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 9. Keiron Cunningham (c), 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 16. Chris Flannery.

Subs: 8. Nick Fozzard, 14. James Roby, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.

Leeds:

1. Brent Webb; 5. Lee Smith, 19. Carl Ablett, 4. Keith Senior, 2. Scott Donald; 6. Danny McGuire, 7. Rob Burrow; 8. Kylie Leuluai, 9. Matt Diskin, 10. Jamie Peacock, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 12. Gareth Ellis, 13. Kevin Sinfield (c).

Subs: 14. Ali Lauitiiti, 16. Ryan Bailey, 17. Nick Scruton, 21. Jordan Tansey.

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