Leeds with a short turn round faced a stiff task at Knowsley Road on Friday night in a storm. But they were up to the task playing gritty tight rugby when they needed to. The first half started with Rhinos opening the scores with a Sinfield penalty, but Long kicked two of his own to sneak Saints ahead, although he did miss opportunities to extend the lead. The half was completed with a try to Rhinos Ali Lauitiiti, converted by Sinfield and a lead on the break of 2 points. Half-time 6-8

St Helens continued to press and following a disallowed try to Rhinos Paul Wellens touched down to put Saints back in front at 10-8. Sinfield missed the opportunity to tie the game but then was a key play maker in Luke Burgess’s try duly converted by Sinfield giving us the final score of:

St Helens 10 Leeds 14

This win takes Leeds into a 4 point lead over second placed Warrington and Wigan both of whom are on 12 points.

Teams:

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Hargreaves, Roby, Graham, Gilmour, Flannery, Bennett.
Replacements: Cayless, Wilkin, Clough, Fa’asavalu.

Leeds: Webb, Hall, Ellis, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield.
Replacements: Bailey, Scruton, Burgess, Worrall.