Saints beat Leeds Rhinos 40-10 on Friday evening at the Totally Wicked Stadium to return to top spot!
Nine minutes in we had our first trip to the video referee. Ash Handley collected a kick and raced downfield earlier on in the set for the Rhinos before being tackled, a few tackles later Leeds moved it left and Luis Roberts found Handley who forced his way over from close range. The on-field decision of try agreed with. Rhyse Martin converted, 0-6.
A second trip upstairs soon followed. Saints moved the ball left and Curtis Sironen tried to reach out from close range. The decision was sent upstairs as no try, and the video referee agreed, 0-6 it remained.
An error from Matt Frawley, who threw wildly allowed Tommy Makinson to leap on it. Konrad Hurrell then charged towards the line and passed to Sione Mata’utia for our first score. Mark Percival converted, 6-6.
Saints took the lead just before the break. Matty Lees broke through a gap down the heart of the Rhinos defence and threw an offload to Moses Mbye who was able to force his way over from close range. Percival added the extras, as Saints led 12-6 at the break.
⏸️ Tries from Mata’utia and Mbye gives us the lead at the break. #COYS pic.twitter.com/rUzTV0jSwp
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 24, 2024
A sensational Saints score 😆#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/cR589ZX2f2
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 24, 2024
Saints dominated the start of the second half and got their reward. Next to the line Sironen got an offload off to Daryl, who crossed for a try. Percival converted, 18-6.
Soon after, Saints had another. Lewis Dodd put up a high kick whilst running, Jack Welsby grabbed it, span and scored. Percival converted, 24-6 Saints led.
Picking Miller’s pocket 🏉@jackwelsby_ rises the highest to score @Saints1890 fourth of the evening 👏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/l3j08Pgc5M
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 24, 2024
Leeds then grabbed their second try of the game. The Rhinos shifted it from left to right and Luis Roberts finished well in the corner. The video referee confirming the on-field decision of try, Martin was unable to convert, 24-10.
Saints grabbed another try with 16 minutes to go. Waqa Blake started the initial break downfield before combining with Percival who was tackled. Off the back of it Saints went left and Sironen was able to power over down the left edge. Percival added two more points, 30-10.
With eleven minutes to go, Saints had another. A move from left to right ended with Welsby throwing a great cut-out pass to Tommy Makinson who went over in the corner. Percival’s kick hit the post, 34-10.
There was still time for more points. Percival broke through a gap down the left edge and found Welsby in support on his inside who dove over to score his second of the evening. Percival added the extras, 40-10.
✅ Saints run riot against the Rhinos at the @twstadium #COYS pic.twitter.com/sWaaDD3PT2
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 24, 2024
Match Summary
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Waqa Blake, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Sione Mata’utia, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, James Bell.
Interchanges: Moses Mbye, George Delaney, Ben Davies, Noah Stephens.
18th Man: Jon Bennison.
Tries: Sione Mata’utia (21), Moses Mbye (39), Daryl Clark (45), Jack Welsby (49, 72), Curtis Sironen (64), Tommy Makinson (69)
Conversions: Mark Percival (6 from 7)
Leeds Rhinos Team: Lachie Miller, Matty Russell, Harry Newman, Luis Roberts, Ash Handley, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Justin Sangare, James McDonnell, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith.
Interchanges: Sam Lisone, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Andy Ackers, Mickael Goudemand.
18th Man: Leon Ruan.
Tries: Ash Handley (9), Luis Roberts (59)
Conversions: Rhyse Martin (1 from 2)
HT: 12-6
FT: 40-10
Attendance: 11,367
