Leeds retained the Super League Crown with a fine win at Old Trafford over the weekend. Although Saints scored first it was plain from early on that Leeds Rhinos had the edge in contact and invention.
In the first half James Graham scored and Long converted for St.Helens but Lee Smith and Ryan Hall touched down for Leeds with Sinfield converting producing the half-time score of 6-12.
The second half saw saints draw level when matt Gidley touched down and Long converted. This was as good as it got as Danny McGuire scored twice and Sinfield converted twice giving Leeds the lead 12-24. Ade Gardner closed the gap but it prooved to little to late and Leeds ran out worthy winners with the final score:
St Helens 16 Leeds 24
Scorers
St Helens
Tries: Graham, Gidley Gardner Goals: Long 2
Leeds Rhinos
Tries: Smith, Hall, McGuire 2 Goals: Sinfield 4
Teams
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery.
Replacements: Roby, Fozzard, Clough, Fa’asavalu.
Leeds Rhinos: Smith, Hall, Ablett, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield.
Replacements: Lauitiiti, Bailey, Scruton, Kirke.
Referee: A Klein (Great Britain).