SAINTS held on to a 6-4 victory over Leeds at the Totally Wicked Stadium as they got their Betfred Super League season off the best possible start.
Trailing 4-0 at half time a piece of Theo Fages magic levelled the scores before Mark Percival’s kick proved crucial.
There was to be no repeat of last season’s high scoring clash but it didn’t mean the entertainment was any less.
It was tight and frantic throughout and a superb war of attrition.
Saints had two chances early doors to break the deadlock.
The lively Dominique Peyroux was held up over the line in the fifth minute before Percival was put into touch by some strong defence.
The home side then repelled two sets right on their own line.
As the half progressed, penalties and handling errors kept bringing Leeds closer to the Saints’ line and in the end that told as Joel Moon scored in the corner on 20 minutes.
Adam Swift nearly replied seven minutes later, but another penalty handed the Rhinos the impetus after the visitors made a break.
Saints began to work their way more into it though and pinged Leeds back on their own line twice in succession.
James Roby’s kick and Luke Thompson’s tackle then put the Rhinos their heels again.
And when Saints forced an error from Golding to gain another set as the half closed, they looked set to level the scores.
But Tommy Makinson was held up agonisingly over the line.
Into the second half and within the first minute Alex Walmsley produced a fine offload for Roby to almost go under the posts.
The big prop was then held up over the line but seconds later Theo Fages produced a cool dummy to cross.
Saints looked buoyed by the score but it took a Makinson wonder tackle on Liam Sutcliffe to make sure they retained the lead.
Watkins got the better of Mark Percival but his wingman came up with a cracker to deny the try.
On 65 minutes, Saints almost extended their lead.
Danny Richardson put Tommy Makinson clear but he just couldn’t evade the defence.
But as it then came left Swift had beaten his opposite number but Fages’ chip through was a little too strong.
The final stages were frenetic as Leeds tried to get over the line, but Keiron Cunningham’s men held on to get the two points.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Fages
Goals: Percival (1 from 1)
Rhinos:
Tries: Moon
Goals: Sutcliffe (0 from 1)
Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 6
Rhinos: 10
HT: 0-4
FT: 6-4
REF: Phil Bentham
ATT: 12,208
Teams:
Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Theo Fages, 24. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor 17. Tommy Lee, 14. Luke Douglas, 11. Joe Greenwood, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 20. Morgan Knowles.
Rhinos:
1. Ashton Golding; 2. Tom Briscoe, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Joel Moon, 5. Ryan Hall; 14. Liam Sutcliffe, 7. Rob Burrow; 17. Mitch Garbutt, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Adam Cuthbertson, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 12. Carl Ablett, 16. Brad Singleton.
Subs: 13. Stevie Ward, 18. Jimmy Keinhorst, 20. Anthony Mullally, 24. Jordan Baldwinson.
