St Helens will be heading to our third straight Grand Final after a 30-8 win over the Leeds Rhinos on Friday evening!

Saints opened the scoring in the fifth minute. A flowing move from right to left saw Lachlan Coote throw a cut-out pass wide to Regan Grace, he then sprinted forward and, despite Leeds’ best attempts to hold him up, he grounded the ball in the left corner.

Coote could not add the extras, but Saints added two more points shortly after. Leeds were awarded a penalty and Coote, playing his final game at the Totally Wicked Stadium, leaped to stop the ball going out of play and from the resulting set we earned a penalty and Coote converted to make it 6-0.

Tom Briscoe was then sent to the sin bin midway through the first half for a high shot on Coote. He picked himself up to take the kick and added two more points, 8-0.

Saints made their extra man count shortly after. The impressive Alex Walmsley made a big run downfield, he offloaded to captain James Roby who span over to score to the left of the sticks. Coote added the two, 14-0.

Saints were then reduced to 12 men, as Sione Mata’utia saw yellow for a high shot on a falling Leeds player. It looked harsh, but it was 10 minutes in the bin.

Leeds responded two minutes before the break. Richie Myler forcing his way over from close range. The try was confirmed after a video referee review. Rhyse Martin could not add the extras, 14-4 at the break.

Five minutes into the second half James Donaldson was next to be sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Coote. We once again made the most of a man advantage. We ran a play down the short side on the left, Mata’utia finding Mark Percival who stretched out to score from close range. Coote missed the conversion, 18-4.

Kevin Naiqama then added a try on his final appearance at the Totally Wicked Stadium on the hour mark as Coote put him through a big gap close to the line. Coote added the extras to make it 24-4.

Morgan Knowles was then sent to the sin bin in the 67th minute for a late shot. From the resulting penalty Leeds scored as they had an extra man down their right-hand side, Luke Briscoe touching down in the corner which was confirmed after a video referee review. Martin missed the conversion, 24-8.

Eight minutes from time Saints had their fifth try of the evening. A Lewis Dodd kick was deflected, Grace picked the ball up first and threw it back to Dodd, he made a break through the line before finding Percival on his inside who strolled over for his second try of the evening. Coote added the extras to make it 30-6.

There was still enough time for a sixth Saints try. Grace found himself wide open on the left wing after collecting a Jonny Lomax cut-out pass, he then stepped Myler to score in front of a bouncing West Stand. Coote added the two to make it 36-8.

That was to be the final score of the game, as Saints move on to a third straight Grand Final after a 36-8 win over the Leeds Rhinos, where we will face the Catalans Dragons.

<strong>Saints Team:Β </strong>Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata’utia, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.

<strong>Interchanges:Β </strong>Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Jack Welsby.

<strong>Tries:Β </strong>Regan Grace (5, 78), James Roby (23), Mark Percival (51. 72), Kevin Naiqama (60)

<strong>Conversions:Β </strong>Lachlan Coote (4 from 6)

<strong>Penalties:Β </strong>Lachlan Coote (2 from 2)

<strong>Sin Bin:Β </strong>Sione Mata’utia (30), Morgan Knowles (67)

<strong>Leeds Rhinos Team:Β </strong>Richie Myler, Luke Briscoe, Harry Newman, Tom Briscoe, Ash Handley, Robert Lui, Kruise Leeming, Mikolaj Oledzki, Brad Dwyer, Matt Prior, James Donaldson, Rhyse Martin, Zane Tetevano.

<strong>Interchanges:Β </strong>Konrad Hurrell, Bodene Thompson, Tom Holroyd, Cameron Smith.

<strong>Tries:Β </strong>Richie Myler (38), Luke Briscoe (67)

<strong>Conversions: </strong>Rhyse Martin (0 from 2)

<strong>Sin Bin:Β </strong>Tom Briscoe (21), James Donaldson (45)

<strong>HT:Β </strong>14-4

<strong>FT:Β </strong>36-8

<strong>ATT:</strong> 11,688

Download your Matchday Programme

St.Helens R.F.C. is proud to have linked up with MatchDayInfo, the global providers of digital match day programmes, which will see the Saints Matchday E-Programme available to view on an App and new-look β€˜GameHub’ platform.

The club turned to matchday e-programmes last season after seeing first hand the unsustainability of the traditional printed versions. The new digital first approach, which is clickable, printable, environmentally friendly and available FREE of charge for all fans, saw readership and engagement numbers increase and the Club has now taken the next step to improve that service once again thanks to MatchDay Info.

Our e-programmes will now also be uploaded to the MatchDayInfo App the day before each home fixture kicks-off, ready for fans to download for FREE to their Android or iPhone device.

Saints Line up

1 Lachlan Coote
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Kevin Naiqama
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
James Roby
10 Matty Lees
11 Sione Mata’utia
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
18 Kyle Amor
17 Agnatius Paasi
1 Jack Welsby

Leeds Rhinos Line up

1Richie Myler
2Luke Briscoe
3Harry Newman
4Tom Briscoe
5Ash Handley
6Rob Lui
7Kruise Leeming
8MikoΕ‚aj Oledzki
9Brad Dwyer
10Matt Prior
11James Donaldson
12Rhyse Martin
13Zane Tetevano
14Konrad Hurrell
15Bodene Thompson
16Tom Holroyd
17Cameron Smith

Last updated 1 Oct 21 22:26:54

And we also hope to send this man off with another Grand Final appearance!

The three-peat is still ON! πŸ‘€

A third Grand Final appearance in as many years!

#COYS

80'

FT: πŸ˜‡ Saints 36-8 Rhinos 🦏

Old Trafford here we come….again! 🏟️

#COYS

78'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooote adds the two as we approach the final hooter!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 36-8 Rhinos 🦏

78'
Try
Regan Grace for Saints

REGANNNNNNNNNN! START THE CAR!!!!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 34-8 Rhinos 🦏

74'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooooote adds the two!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 30-8 Rhinos 🦏

73'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

PERCYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Surely that sends us to Old Trafford again?!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 28-8 Rhinos 🦏

68'
Try
Luke Briscoe for Leeds Rhinos

Luke Briscoe goes over in the corner for Leeds. The kick from Martin misses.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 24-8 Rhinos 🦏

67'
Yellow Card
Morgan Knowles for Saints

Morgan Knowles has now been sent to the sin bin…That’s four yellows shown this evening.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 24-4 Rhinos 🦏

67'

The Rhinos come forward with a set restart on the Saints line, but we see it out well. They will come again though after a knock on. Time to defend boys!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 24-4 Rhinos 🦏

62'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooooooooooooote adds the two from the touchline to extend our lead!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 24-4 Rhinos 🦏

60'
Try
Kevin Naiqama for Saints

KEVYYYYYY! On his farewell Totally Wicked Stadium appearance, Kevin Naiqama gets over in front of the west stand!!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 22-4 Rhinos 🦏

59'

Big Al is back on for the impressive Paasi whilst Lees is on for LMS. Leeds then fumble at the play the ball and we have a chance!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 18-4 Rhinos 🦏

Percival with the crucial score after the break!

56'

Super Jack is off holding his shoulder as Knowles comes back on.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 18-4 Rhinos 🦏

54'

Iggy powers his way over a number of Rhinos defenders before Welsby’s kick over the top just runs dead before he or Dodd can chase it down.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 18-4 Rhinos 🦏

52'

Cooote’s kick drifts wide. 18-4.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 18-4 Rhinos 🦏

51'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

PERCYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! A quick play the ball from Mata’utia sees Percival power his way over! Get in!!!!!!!!!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 18-4 Rhinos 🦏

50'

The Rhinos keep us out before we win another penalty for offside and will come again….

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

48'

There is a coming together on the near side as both teams clash, but it results in Saints winning a penalty and we come forward in the Rhinos half…

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

45'
Yellow Card
James Donaldson for Leeds Rhinos

James Donaldson is now sent to the bin for a shot on Coote.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

41'

Leeds get us back underway in the second half! COYS!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

40'

HT: πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

We lead at the break as we look to book our place in the Grand Final. A big second 40 to come!

#COYS

38'

Martin’s kick drift wide.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

38'
Try
Richie Myler for Leeds Rhinos

Myler goes over in the corner for the Rhinos. It goes upstairs and it’s given. Kick to come.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-4 Rhinos 🦏

36'

Great defence from the Saints keep the Rhinos out before LMS pounces on a loose pass and we then win a penalty! Jack Welsby is on for Knowles.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

35'

The Rhinos get the ball back as Paasi loses it in the tackle and come forward. They then win a set restart and we must defend on our own line…

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

33'

The Rhinos come forward down our left, but a kick chase from Handley runs dead.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

Coote is caught high…

31'
Yellow Card
Sione Mata'utia for Saints

And now Mata’utia is sent to the bin for an apparent high shot.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

30'

A double change for Saints as Big Al and Matty Lees come off and are replaced by LMS and Iggy Paasi…Go get em’ boys!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

28'

We try and run it on the last as Lomax finds Big Al close to the line, but the Rhinos, this time, keep us out…

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

25'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooooooote adds the two to extend our lead!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 14-0 Rhinos 🦏

24'
Try
James Roby for Saints

ROBEEEEEEEEEEES! Big Al does the damage with another big run. The skipper picks the ball up from dummy half and gets it down! Get in!!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 12-0 Rhinos 🦏

21'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooote composes himself and slots over the two to extend our lead.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 8-0 Rhinos 🦏

21'
Yellow Card
Tom Briscoe for Leeds Rhinos

Wow. Coote’s head has been taken off by Tom Briscoe who is sent to the bin. Coote will get back up and go for the two…

πŸ˜‡ Saints 6-0 Rhinos 🦏

Regan reaches out for our first try of the night!

14'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooote kicks us further in front after Mata’utia wins a penalty. We lead by 6!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 6-0 Rhinos 🦏

14'

Mistake. The Leeds kick is brilliantly patted back from Coote before it can find touch and we are on the attack again!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 4-0 Rhinos 🦏

13'

We are close to going over again as Roby ducks back on the inside and puts a cute grubber in, but it clutched by the Leeds defender before they win a penalty.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 4-0 Rhinos 🦏

12'

Big Al is at it again as he barges through the Leeds defence before he is finally taken down…The set resumes!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 4-0 Rhinos 🦏

10'

The Rhinos move the ball out to the left, but Leeming’s pass finds touch, instead of the hands of Myler. We have it back!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 4-0 Rhinos 🦏

7'

Cooote’s kick from the touchline just drifts wide, but we lead early!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 4-0 Rhinos 🦏

6'
Try
Regan Grace for Saints

YESSSSSSS! The perfect start! The ball is moved out to the left and Cooote finds Grace who bursts down the wing and gets over! Get in!

πŸ˜‡ Saints 4-0 Rhinos 🦏

6'

The Dodd grubber rebounds off the posts and into the hands of Myler. Good defence traps Leeds in their own half and the Rhinos are forced to kick early. We have it back…

πŸ˜‡ Saints 0-0 Rhinos 🦏

4'

Saints see it out as Lui’s grubber runs dead and we have it back on half way…

πŸ˜‡ Saints 0-0 Rhinos 🦏

2'

An early Saints mistake as Coote drops the high bomb and Leeds have a set in our half.

πŸ˜‡ Saints 0-0 Rhinos 🦏

1'

A place at Old Trafford is up for grabs! πŸ‘Š

#COYS

Head over to our social media account to hear the pre-match thoughts of the boss!

And we also hope to send this man off with another Grand Final appearance!

A final β€˜home’ appearance for this man tonight!

This is how Leeds will line up this evening…

Here is how we line up for tonight’s huge semi-final clash!

Here is how we line up for tonight’s huge semi-final clash!

Will this man be in the line up tonight? Team news will be with you at approximately 6.15pm…Stay tuned!

Tonight’s game is also live on Sky Sports for those who cannot make it. If you are thinking about attending, a reminder you can purchase tickets on the turnstiles!

This is our final home clash of the season and the pitch is in great condition! Who is excited for tonight’s game?

You can also read our last match E-Programme of 2021 by visiting our homepage or by scanning your camera over the QR code below…

Head over to our homepage for all the pre-match news!

Hello and welcome to our live match blog ahead of tonight’s HUGE clash between Saints and Leeds Rhinos with both teams knowing a win will book their spot in the Grand Final at Old Trafford!