JONNY Lomax grabbed a brace on his return as Saints edged Leeds 38-34 in a blockbuster at Langtree Park.
Appearing for the first time since March 2015, he scored twice in the first half in a game that swayed one way and the next.
Atelea Vea, Joe Greenwood and Mark Percival all came back from injury too as Saints won at home for first time in four attempts.
Saints led 10-0 after just seven to erase memories of their nightmare start the last time the two sides met.
Lomax announced his return to the Saints side with a superb try in the fifth minute – as he took full advantage of James Roby’s break.
He took the ball at pace before rounding Zak Hardaker like he wasn’t there.
Walsh goaled, Leeds kicked off, and the Saints promptly scored again.
This time the mercurial Walsh produced a super offload for Joe Greenwood to stroll over.
Seven minutes, 10 points, and the home side looked the more likely to go through again…
And they very nearly did when Leeds knocked on in their own in goal area.
But despite Mark Percival putting the ball down, the video referee ruled the Rhinos had grounded it.
Saints’ defence proved Leeds undoing before the quarter way mark – but the home side were also being a little giddy in attack too and not controlling the ball – perhaps understandable considering their tremendous start.
But Leeds hit back in the 22nd minute. Rob Burrow went though the middle and despite a last gasp tackle, the ball was thrown wide to Golding who popped it over the line.
The pass looked a good half yard forward but the referee and touch judge had other ideas.
And at the half hour mark a loose pass from Theo Fages was returned with interest for Burrow to level it up.
Leeds were on fire and on their next attack Jimmy Keinhorst ghosted through the defence.
Saints weren’t done though and after probably their best defensive set of the first half, Walsh produced a pin-point kick for Lomax to pounce for his second.
Tied 16-16 the last thing Saints needed to do was start the second half poorly.
But that’s what they did, handing Leeds prime territory and a penalty on their line in the first minute.
Saints defended the chance though – Kallum Watkins’ pass skewing off Brett Delaney’s chest.
The home side then went ahead. Walsh put up a massive high ball that was well collected by Golding – but on the next tackle Kyle Amor produced a wonder hit to dislodge the ball … before he mopped up the loose ball.
Hardaker then left the field looking somewhat dazed.
Leeds hit back through Ash Handley but within seconds Walsh dropped a pass off to Greenwood for his second.
And it got better for the home side as Theo Fages stepped through a huge gap on the last to increase the lead.
Saints weathered more Leeds’ pressure but Mullally scored with 13 to go to make it game on.
But with ten minutes to go, Saints produced a move that is synonymous with this club.
Atelea Vea offloaded at full pace to Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook who got the ball away to Luke Walsh,
Seconds later the ball was with Fages and with no space at all, and two tacklers in close proximity, he stepped off his left and flew over.
And he could have had a hat-trick but was unable to collect Walsh’s drop goal that hit the post.
Keinhorst duly grabbed his second with five minutes to go but Saints produced some wonderful last gasp tackling at the end to secure the win.
A memorable night.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Lomax (2), Greenwood (2), Amor, Fages (2)
Goals: Walsh (5 from 7)
Rhinos:
Tries: Golding, Burrow, Keinhorst (2) Handley, Mullally
Goals: Lilley (5 from 6)
Penalties:
Saints: 4
Rhinos: 4
HT: 16-16
FT: 38-34
REF: Phil Bentham
ATT: 11271
Teams:
Saints: 23. Shannon McDonnell; 1. Jonny Lomax; 21. Matty Dawson, 4. Mark Percival, 22. Jack Owens; 19. Theo Fages, 7. Luke Walsh; 14. Lama Tasi, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 20. Joe Greenwood, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 8. Alex Walmsley, 11. Atelea Vea, 15. Greg Richards, 28. Morgan Knowles.
Rhinos:
1. Zak Hardaker; 23. Ashton Golding, 3. Kallum Watkins, 18. Jimmy Keinhorst, 22. Ash Handley; 25. Jordan Lilley 7. Rob Burrow; 8. Keith Galloway, 9. Beau Falloon, 17. Mitch Garbutt, 15. Brett Delaney, 12. Carl Ablett, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan.
Subs: 14. Liam Sutcliffe, 16. Brad Singleton, 19. Mitch Achurch, 20. Anthony Mullally.
