Saints were beaten 6-34 by the league-leading Rhinos at the BrewDog Stadium.
First Half
Leeds posed the first threat. A debatable six again on the last tackle gave them a repeat set on halfway. They used up their tackles before Daniel Suluka-Fifita made a great last-ditch tackle to prevent Brodie Croft scoring a certain try inside our twenty.
Seven minutes in, Leeds had the lead. Their latest set began in our half after an error, Jake Connor delayed a pass and put Chris Hankinson through a gap to score from close range. Connor added the extras, 0-6 we trailed.
The visitors thought then had a second three minutes later. Connor’s high kick was fumbled and Cooper Jenkins found his way over the Saints line from close range. Referee, Marcus Griffiths ruling that the visitors had touched the ball first, knock on.
Saints’ first threat came 13 minutes in. We got a repeat set on the Leeds line following a knock on. Tackle five, Joe Shorrocks put in a low kick down our left edge which forced Ryan Hall to concede a dropout.
The hosts then were reduced to twelve men for ten minutes. Suluka-Fifita hit Presley Cassell without the ball as he tried to anticipate a pass and saw yellow.
Just after the midpoint of the first half, Saints thought they were back in it. We shifted the ball from right to left, Tristan Sailor threw a cut-out pass to Deon Cross who finished well in the corner but the ball was ruled forward, the try not given.
Another Rhinos chance then came and went. Brodie Croft put a low kick in down their right edge which Jack Bird looked to have fumbled. The decision was a dropout, as it was ruled Sailor pushed it out.
Eight minutes before the break, Leeds extended their lead. Cameron Smith broke through the heart of the Saints defence, fended off some tackles and slid his way over to score. Connor converted, 0-12.
The had a third try before the break. We went for an intercept which ricocheted into Leeds hands, Leeds worked it through the hands and Ash Handley passed to Harry Newman who scored in the corner. Connor converted, 0-18.
⏸️ Half time in Round 25, the Rhinos in control of the scoreboard#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/ZKUORXOiXx
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) August 28, 2026
Second Half
Less than 90 seconds into the second half, Leeds had a fourth try. Saints let the kick off bounce, forcing a dropout. A few tackles in, Tom Holroyd spun his way over from close range to score. Despite the on-field verdict of try, the video referee asked for a review and it was ruled out for a knock on after some good scramble defence from the hosts, 0-18 it remained.
They did have a fourth try seven minutes into the second period though. On the last, they went down their short-side on the right, Bird did well to get an offload away whilst falling to Hall who scored in the corner. Connor missed the kick, 0-22.
Saints hit-back this time around. Jonny Lomax did well to find Welsby pushing through the line on his inside, he raced around Lachie Miller to score. Sailor converted the try, 6-22.
Superb try from Welsby ⚡ pic.twitter.com/9FxvY1GNhZ
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) August 28, 2026
Leeds extended their lead three minutes later. Saints tried to force a pass which resulted in an error. The Rhinos used up some tackles before Connor put in a low kick with the outside of his right foot and Ash Handley won the race to it to score. Connor added the conversion, 6-28.
Another try followed. Connor put in a low kick on the last tackle which bounced off the post, Croft the quickest to react as he grounded the ball. Connor converted, 6-34.
The hosts tried to respond. The Red V passed the ball through the hands down our left edge but Welsby’s pass to Cross went to ground, turnover.
Leeds had a penalty with just over five minutes to go for a high shot. They opted for two points from 45 metres out but Connor’s attempt bounced out off the post, 6-34 it remained.
Those were the final points of the contest. 6-34 the Rhinos winning at the BrewDog Stadium.
⏹️ Full time in Round 25 and the Saints fall to a defeat against the league leaders#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/druiUXlKIw
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) August 28, 2026
Match Summary
Saints Team: Tristan Sailor, Jacob Douglas, Nene Macdonald, Jack Welsby, Deon Cross, Harry Robertson, Jonny Lomax, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Joe Shorrocks, David Klemmer, Shane Wright, Jake Davies, Jacob Host.
Interchanges: Alex Walmsley, Tom Humphreys, Billy Keeley, Matty Evans.
18th Man: Mark Percival.
Tries: Jack Welsby (52)
Conversions: Tristan Sailor (1 from 1)
Yellow Card: Daniel Suluka-Fifita (16)
Leeds Rhinos Team: Lachie Miller, Ryan Hall, Jack Bird, Ash Handley, Harry Newman, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins, Chris Hankinson, Kallum Watkins, Presley Cassell.
Interchanges: Tom Holroyd, Cameron Smith, Danny Levi, Matt Lodge.
18th Man: Zak Lloyd.
Tries: Chris Hankinson (7), Cameron Smith (32), Harry Newman (38), Ryan Hall (47), Ash Handley (55), Brodie Croft (63)
Conversions: Jake Connor (5 from 6)
Penalties: Jake Connor (0 from 1)
HT: 0-18
FT: 6-34
Attendance: 11,558
Full Teamsheet:
HT Draw Number: No.22750 – £617
