Leyland etches his name in Saints history with stunning Good Friday derby performance

The mere mention of the 'Good Friday derby' is enough to spark conversations about past glories, epic comebacks, and the unpredictable nature of the rivalry. Memories of iconic clashes, such as the scuffle between Andy Farrell and Paul Sculthorpe, will continue to be shared and relived. From April 3, 2026, onwards, St Helens fans will proudly recount the tale of how a one-week loan signing became an instant Good Friday legend. The team's nickname, 'The Entertainers,' was earned in the early 2000s due to their ability to mount dramatic comebacks from 20 points down. Sean Long's drop goals, which often secured victories against the odds, are still widely talked about and have contributed to the team's 'Never Write Off the Saints' mantra. While not every memorable moment has occurred in a Good Friday derby, those that do are instantly etched in the history books. The recent loan signings of Bill Leyland and Jordan Dezaria were met with a mix of skepticism and optimism, but Leyland's 24-minute cameo in the intense grudge match against Wigan proved to be a game-changer. With the score at 24-10 in favor of Wigan and only eight minutes remaining, it seemed like the match was all but over. However, St Helens staged an incredible comeback, with Tristan Sailor and Jackson Hastings scoring converted tries to bring the score to 24-22. Leyland then seized his moment, barging over the line in the 77th minute to give St Helens the lead. He followed this up with a second try, picking up the short kick-off and racing away to seal the win. For a local player, there is no greater moment than being the hero in a Good Friday derby against their hometown rivals. Leyland, despite having only one training session with the team, has earned a special place in the hearts of St Helens fans. 'It's surreal playing in such a big derby. My team, Hull KR, won the previous game, so it's a double win for me. I'm glad to bring it home for all these fans; it's pretty surreal,' Leyland said in a post-match interview. The 23-year-old hooker will return to Hull KR, but his name will be forever linked with the illustrious history of the Good Friday derby. 'What a story for Bill Leyland. It's one of the greatest Saints comebacks. He's not even at the club - he's a Hull KR player! There will be posters of him all over this stadium,' said Sky Sports Rugby League's Sam Tomkins. The age-old adage that sport can be unpredictable and often stranger than fiction has been proven once again. The storyline of a player on a one-week loan becoming the hero in a Good Friday derby would be deemed too far-fetched for a script, but Leyland has made it a reality.