St Helens closed the gap on Super League leaders Leeds to just two points after a powerful display against the reigning champions. Maurie Fa’asavalu opened the scoring on 24 minutes, Sean Long added the extras but six minutes later Leeds levelled when Kevin Sinfield touched down Danny McGuire’s grubber kick and kicked the conversion. Saints retook the lead when a lucky bounce of the posts fell into the grateful hands of Bryn Hargreaves. Sean Long who was having an off day with the boot missed the conversion and the half ended at 6-12.
It took Saints just four minutes to extend their lead after the break with Pryce and Paul Wellens working the ball out for Meli to finish decisively although Long missed the extras. Leeds day then went from bad to worse as Nick Scruton was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Keiron Cunningham and St.Helens took full advantage making made the extra man count with Wellens and Talau getting Meli over for his second try to make it 18-6. Scott Donald pulled one back for Leeds with Sinfields conversion from out wide closing the gap to 6 points. But Saints made sure of the win when Long’s high kick was plucked out of the air by Pryce for his side’s fifth try and Long added the conversion, before completing the scoring with a late penalty. Final Score:
Leeds 12 St Helens 26
Teams
Leeds: Webb, Smith, Ellis, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Bailey, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield.
Replacements: Scruton, Tansey, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan.
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Gilmour, Wilkin, Sculthorpe.
Replacements: Roby, Clough, Fa’asavalu, Thompson.
Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)
