Saints » Results

Leeds edged a real tussle of a game 14-10 in atrocious conditions at Knowsley Road.

Saints were more than a match for the Rhinos before a score from Luke Burgess took the points to Headingley.

In the most eagerly anticipated clash of the season so far, Jason Cayless made the bench for his first appearance since the Grand Final.

Mike Bennett took up the loose forward berth with Bryn Hargreaves returning to the starting prop position.

For Leeds, Ryan Hall took his place on the wing for the injured Lee Smith.

And it was the Rhinos who kicked off into some of the worst weather conditions ever seen at Knowsley Road.

Both sides got stuck into each other from the off putting in some strong tackles and defensive sets.

On six minutes, Leeds got 12 tackles on the Saints’ line and on their last tackle Burrow kicked into the corner and Donald seemed to knock the ball dead.

But Klein gave a drop out, then changed his mind and awarded the Rhinos a penalty for offside! Sinfield easy with the two points.

Five minutes later, Leon Pryce was then taken off the ball and Saints had some pressure of their own.

And from the tap Saints drove to the line. Long then fed a nice pass to Pryce who dummied his way over. Klein handed it over to the video ref who ruled a double movement.

Leeds then went up the field on the back of two penalties but the home defence held superbly firm.

Long forced a drop out when he kicked early in the count to Ryan Hall, who was bundled over the try line by Meli.

From the restart, Simon Worrall was penalised for lying on and Long added the penalty.

Quarter of the game gone: 2-2.

On 22 minutes, Bailey was collared for offside and Long spotted the penalty in front from 40 yards.

And the mercurial number seven caused panic in the Leeds’ defence when a hall ball was taken by the wind right under the posts – Webb just clearing it for a drop out.

But it was Leeds who scored the first try when Lauitiiti went over from close range. Sinfield with the extras.

Long then slotted over a penalty to pull it back to within two.

With seven to go, Roby got within a couple of yards and put a pearler of a kick in which Leeds just managed to ground in goal – with the video referee’s nod of course.

And from the drop out, Leeds made another indiscretion but Long just went wide with the penalty attempt. And he was wide from the next indiscretion too.

With two left, Saints forced another drop out and had another set at Leeds but just couldn’t press home the advantage.

Half Time: Saints 6 Leeds 8

Into the second half and Leeds were straight on the attack after Saints were caught offside. Burrow put up a high kick on the last and Donald was adjudged to have knocked on the ball over the line – a relief for the home side.

But it was Saints who scored the first try of the half when an excellent attacking move was finished off by Wellens. The full back coming in on the arc to take a superb pass. Long wide with the extras.

Straight from the restart Saints were harshly penalised for obstruction in their own 30 yard area but Sinfield missed his first kick of the game to leave the home side ahead.

With the pitch cutting up due the sheer amount of water on it, both sides surprisingly began to play a little expansively. But defences were on top and you got the feeling a mistake or a penalty would seal the deal.

And on 60 minutes Burgess burrowed over from close range after the ball was lost on a high Sinfield kick – even though it seemed like Leuluai dropped the ball earlier in the tackle count.

Sinfield then stretched the lead to four.

With 12 to go, Saints forced a drop out following an excellent kick from Sean Long but they couldn’t find a way past Scott Donald.

Saints threw everything they had at the Leeds’ line and Longy forced a drop out with a superb kick; seconds left on the clock, but it was too little, too late.

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Wellens

Goals: Long (3 from 6)

Leeds:

Tries: Lauitiiti, Burgess

Goals: Sinfield (3 from 4)

Penalties:

Saints: 11

Leeds: 8

HT (Sts First): 6-8

FT (Sts First): 10-14

ATT: 11,188

REF: Ashley Klein

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, 14. James Roby, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 16. Chris Flannery, 15. Mike Bennett.

Subs: 10. Jason Cayless, 12. Jon Wilkin, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.

Leeds:

1. Brent Webb; 22. Ryan Hall, 12. Gareth Ellis, 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, 14. Ali Lauitiiti, 13. Kevin Sinfield

Subs: 16. Ryan Bailey, 17. Nick Scruton, 24. Luke Burgess, 28. Simon Worrall.