Leeds Rhinos v Saints

Danny Richardson slotted over a drop goal with two minutes to go to hand Saints a dramatic 23-22 over Leeds.

Down by six with five to play, Ryan Morgan finished off a great move to bring it to within two before the young scrum half hit the conversion from close the touchline.

He then showed his maturity to land a one-pointer from 30 metres out.

Leeds dominated for long periods of the game but Saints kept them within arms length – and it told at the end.

The hosts opened the scoring after Jonny Lomax had one chalked off for obstruction.

From the resultant penalty, the Rhinos marched up the field – Matt Parcell making the break and then finding Tom Briscoe on his inside.

Justin Holbrook’s men hit back in the 22nd minute thanks to Ben Barba.

LMS made a charging run down the field and won a penalty to give his side great field position.

Saints then switched the ball from right to left and into the hands of Barba who duly let the defence to come him before he dipped his shoulder and went through.

And on the half hour mark Saints were ahead as Barba worked his magic to hit Percival on a fine line.

The centre then turned it over to Jonny Lomax for his 10th of the year.

10-6 at half time, Saints saw that lead evaporate within the first couple of minutes.

They conceded back to back penalties on Leeds’ very first set and that pressure allowed Tom Briscoe the chance to cross for his second.

Saints almost hit back twice in succession.

Roby was held up over the line on two sets – but in the 50th  minute Saints weren’t going to be denied again.

Ok, Percival was initially held up, but once the game restarted, Richardson stepped off his right, found Barba and he duly put his centre over.

Yet, the lead was as short-lived as it comes!

Leeds won the ball back on a short kick-off and on the last Mitch Garbutt took a ball at pace and plunged over.

Sutcliffe goaled and then added a crucial penalty on the hour mark to put Leeds in control.

And that was underlined when, in the 74th minute, a kick through sat up up kindly for Ash Handley who offloaded to Brett Ferres.

Saints needed something special to pull it back and it came with five minutes to go.

They collected a short kick off and then recycled it right for Ryan Morgan to put down under pressure.

Richardson hit a tricky conversion and then saved his most telling contribution until last.

It sent the away support into hysteria – and kept up Saints winning run.

Match Summary:

Rhinos:
Tries: Briscoe (2), Garbutt, Ferres
Goals: Sutcliffe (3 from 6)

Saints:
Tries: Barba, Lomax, Percival, Morgan
Goals: Richardson (3 from 4)
Drop: Richardson

Penalties Awarded:
Rhinos: 9
Saints: 4

HT: 6-10
FT: 22-23

REF: Ben Thaler

ATT: 12,106

Teams:

Leeds:
24. Jack Walker; 2. Tom Briscoe, 26. Harry Newman, 22. Ash Handley, 5. Ryan Hall; 6. Joel Moon, 4. Liam Sutcliffe; 17. Mitch Garbutt, 9. Matt Parcell, 16. Anthony Mullally, 19. Brett Ferres, 30. Josh Walters, 8. Adam Cuthertson.
Subs: 14. Brad Dwyer, 23. Jack Ormondroyd, 27. Cameron Smith, 32. Tom Holroyd.

Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 14. Luke Douglas, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Morgan Knowles, 20. Matty Lees.