St Helen won their first game in the Super 8s with a tough 18-32 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley this evening.
The Rhinos came into the game without Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins and Rob Burrow, while St Helens were able to welcome back their captain Jon Wilkin.
And Saints made a strong start when Danny McGuire fumbled the ball and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook fed winger Tommy Makinson for a try that Luke Walsh converted from the touchine.
Leeds equalised, however, with a fine try by Jimmy Keinhorst, who was in the side in place of Watkins.
But St Helens took the lead again on 21 minutes, with the video referee confirming the try scored by Josh Jones, with Walsh again converting and then adding a penalty for a 6-14 lead.
The Rhinos pulled back, however, just before the interval when Mitch Achurch touched down, with Sinfield adding the goal.
Saints extended their lead to 12-26 in the second half with a brilliant effort by Walsh and then a fine try by Adam Quinlan from a great inside pass by Travis Burns. Walsh converted both tries.
Leeds weren’t finished, however, and Ryan Hall went over for a Leeds try when he supported a fine Sinfield break.
Wilkin completed the try scoring two minutes from the end when he picked up a loose ball near the Leeds line, and Walsh converted for a final 14-point margin.
A full report, photos and analysis will feature in Monday’s edition of League Express.
