SAINTS produced a gallant second half performance but ultimately went down 41-16 to Leeds Rhinos at Langtree Park.
Jordan Turner added a brace in a stirring fightback as Luke Walsh returned to home soil.
But the damage had been done in the first half with the visitors leading 28-6 at the break.
Leeds were ruthless capitalising on a number of errors to run scores in from distance.
Tommy Makinson stemmed the flow with an opportunistic effort but Ash Handley completed his hat-trick late on.
And that was the difference.
Saints began the game on the front foot and when they were given a penalty for a high tackle on Alex Walmsley, look set to profit.
Some fantastic handling kept the ball alive but Josh Jones’ pass to debutant Matty Fleming was intercepted and returned 80 metres.
It was a start that Leeds couldn’t believe and they almost scored again when Kallum Watkins chased a kick through.
Saints were guilty of not looking after the ball and another unforced error gave Leeds more possession.
And the visitors didn’t disappoint, offloading and keeping it alive again for Handley’s second.
Saints were at sixes and sevens and from the restart the Rhinos manufactured another opening for Hardaker to go under the posts.
Sutcliffe kicking his third from three.
Saints put their shoulders into some strong defence but it was always a case of one switch off and Leeds would take advantage.
And on 27 minutes Danny McGuire did just that after a fantastic run from Carl Ablett.
Adam Swift went within feet as the half entered its final ten minutes and then Roby combined with Jon Wilkin to put Tommy Makinson through.
The try was somewhat fortunate as Wilkin’s kick was eventually hacked on by the winger and grounded – with the video referee ruling Makinson’s fingertips didn’t knock the ball forward before he kicked it.
Saints were buoyant and two sets right on Leeds’ line should have brought more points.
But another loose pass was picked up by Watkins and seconds later Handley was collecting a kick to the corner and claiming his hat-trick.
Luke Walsh came on for the second half and Saints looked all the better for it as within five minutes he’d danced through the defence and put Turner in for his ninth of the season.
Saints almost scored again five minutes later as Walsh fed it to Swift and then Burns’ pass to Turner was adjudged forward.
The home side were finding gaps all over the park but lacked ball control at the crucial time.
Mose Masoe went close with 20 minutes to go and then Jordan Turner collected Walsh’s kick to the posts.
Burns making it a two score game.
Saints came again and probably should have put more pressure on the Leeds’ line but Liam Sutcliffe sealed the points with a well taken effort from broken play.
Sinfield tagging on a drop goal and Moon putting the icing on the cake late on.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Makinson, Turner (2)
Goals: Burns (2 from 3)
Rhinos:
Tries: Handley (3), Hardaker, McGuire, Sutcliffe, Moon
Goals: Sutcliffe (2 from 2), Sinfield (4 from 5)
Drop: Sinfield
Penalties:
Saints: 2
Rhinos: 5
HT: 6-28
FT: 16-41
REF: Ben Thaler
ATT: 12,620
Teams:
Saints:
2. Tommy Makinson; 30. Matty Fleming, 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 12. Jon Wilkin; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 14. Alex Walmsley, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Mark Flanagan, 18. Luke Thompson.
Subs: 7. Luke Walsh, 8. Mose Masoe, 19. Greg Richards, 25. Andre Savelio.
Rhinos:
1. Zak Hardaker; 3. Kallum Watkins, 12. Carl Ablett, 4. Joel Moon, 27. Ash Handley; 18. Liam Sutcliffe, 6. Danny McGuire; 17. Adam Cuthbertson, 9. Paul Aiton, 10. Jamie Peacock, 14. Stevie Ward, 15. Brett Delaney, 19. Brad Singleton.
Subs: 7. Rob Burrow, 13. Kevin Sinfield, 16. Mitch Achurch, 22. Andy Yates.
