SAINTS slipped to a 30-18 defeat at Leeds Rhinos last night – despite fighting back from 16-0 down to lead 18-16 midway through the first half.
Tries from Kyle Amor, Luke Walsh and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook reversed a torrid opening quarter but ultimately the Champions proved too strong in the second half.
It was only Saints second defeat of the season and gives next week’s derby extra spice.
The damage was done in the opening stages of the game.
Saints got off to the worst possible start when Jack Owens’ kick over the top – on their first set – was intercepted by Ash Handley.
Luke Walsh hauled him down but Jamie Jones-Buchanan scored as Leeds took advantage of their advantage in numbers.
Minutes later Adam Cuthbertson ploughed over after the restart went out on the full.
And in the 10th minute another error saw Liam Sutcliffe scoop it up and go in from 40 metres.
Saints needed to show some signs of life and after Luke Walsh won them a drop out, a simple pass to Kyle Amor had the big marra sidestepping his way past Zak Hardaker.
And on their next set Walsh cut through the line as Saints forced another Leeds error.
Saints went close on the half hour mark but couldn’t get over the line and were then unlucky when Walsh chipped over to Matty Dawson.
But the scrum half grabbed Saints another drop out with five minutes to go and then fed LMS on the charge to put his side level.
The conversion was simple too – and it gave Saints an 18-16 lead – which was a remarkable turnaround after the opening 15 minutes.
But the joy was short-lived as on the last play of the half Carl Ablett went through the defence to grab the lead back for the home side.
The second half began in a more sedate way with both sides kicking for territory before Jack Owens took a high ball and ran 60 metres.
Luke Thompson and Walsh went close but then a loose pass was collected by Kallum Watkins.
He raced clear – only to be hauled down by Owens who made a superb recovery.
Saints defended the next set but failed to deal with another as Ash Handley took a nice chip through for 28-16.
Joe Greenwood and Kyle Amor made great breaks as Saints threatened but a Sutcliffe penalty 10 minutes before ‘time’ put them two scores to the good.
McDonnell was hauled down by Hardaker following a superb Wilkin break with five minutes to go and that was effectively the game sealing tackle.
LMS heading to the bin as the hooter sounded to compound the defeat.
Match Summary:
Rhinos:
Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Cuthbertson, Sutcliffe, Ablett, Handley
Goals: Sutcliffe (5 from 6)
Saints:
Tries: Amor, Walsh, McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Goals: Walsh (3 from 3)
Penalties:
Rhinos: 7
Saints: 5
HT: 18-22
FT: 18-30
REF: B Thaler
ATT: 17,131
Teams:
Rhinos:
1. Zak Hardaker; 22. Ash Handley, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Joel Moon, 5. Ryan Hall; 14. Liam Sutcliffe, 7. Rob Burrow; 8. Keith Galloway, 9. Beau Falloon, 10. Adam Cuthbertson, 12. Carl Ablett, 26. Brett Ferres, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan.
Subs: 15. Brett Delaney, 20. Anthony Mullally, 21. Josh Walters, 25. Jordan Lilley.
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Tommy Makinson, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 21. Matty Dawson, 22. Jack Owens; 3. Jordan Turner, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Atelea Vea, 20. Joe Greenwood, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Lama Tasi, 15. Greg Richards, 17. Luke Thompson.
