Leeds re‑asserted their dominance in the Betfred Super League with a commanding 34‑6 win at St Helens on Friday night, propelling the Rhinos back to the summit of the table. The performance was a masterclass in attacking rugby, as Leeds crossed the try line six times at the Brewdog Stadium, effectively halting the Saints' recent surge and consigning them to a position outside the play‑off places with just two rounds left in the campaign. The match began with Leeds applying pressure almost from the first whistle.
Within seven minutes, Jake Connor delivered a perfectly timed, delayed pass that set Chris Hankinson free for the opening try, giving Brad Arthur’s side an early advantage. The momentum continued to build as Cameron Smith and Harry Newman each added a try in quick succession before the half‑time break, cementing Leeds’ control and leaving the home crowd stunned.
Leeds’ second‑half onslaught was no less impressive. Veteran winger Ryan Hall, dynamic centre Ash Handley and powerful forward Brodie Croft each found the try‑line, completing a comprehensive victory. Connor, who proved to be the most influential player on the field, successfully kicked five conversions, further extending the margin. The win was a timely response for Leeds after they had watched rivals Wigan dispatch Hull KR, allowing the Rhinos to leapfrog the champions and claim the top spot.
From the outset, Leeds dictated the tempo, frustrating the Saints who, under interim coach Eamon O'Carroll, had enjoyed back‑to‑back victories that had revived hopes of breaking into the top six. Leeds’ early pressure paid dividends when, after a clever delayed pass from Connor, Hankinson darted over for the first try.
The Rhinos continued to press, and although Cooper Jenkins appeared to add a second try shortly thereafter, the video referee ruled it out for a knock‑on in the build‑up. The Saints began to find some rhythm, but Deon Cross was twice denied clear scoring opportunities – first by a staunch Leeds defence and then by a forward pass from Tristan Sailor that the referee disallowed. Mid‑match drama unfolded when Leeds were reduced to 12 men after Daniel Suluka‑Fifita received a sin‑bin for a late tackle on Presley Cassell.
Cassell, however, passed a head‑injury assessment and returned to the field. Leeds pressed on, with Jack Bird nearly grounding a bouncing ball before Cameron Smith sliced through the Saints’ line for a spectacular individual try. Just before the interval, Harry Newman finished off a sweeping move in the corner to give Leeds a comfortable lead heading into the break.
After the restart, Tom Holroyd seemed to have added another try, but the video referee again intervened, determining that the ball had not been properly grounded. Leeds’ superiority was evident when Bird released Ryan Hall with a deft flick of the ball from the back of his hand, allowing the experienced winger to glide over for his try. The Saints managed a consolation score when Jack Welsby broke free from a Jonny Lomax pass, evading a last‑ditch tackle by Lachie Miller and touching down, with Sailor converting. However, Leeds quickly resumed their dominance.
Connor’s boot work created two further opportunities: a delicate grubber kick that Handley collected for a try, followed by a deliberate high kick aimed at the posts, which Brodie Croft gathered and grounded for another score. Connor converted both, though his attempt at a late penalty struck the post, ending his personal tally.
Beyond the Leeds‑Saints showdown, the round featured other notable results. Huddersfield secured a vital victory near the bottom of the table, beating Leigh 30‑18. Giants centre Cole Geyer was the star of the show, scoring twice as Huddersfield rattled off five tries to climb to 14 points, pulling ahead of second‑bottom York. Leigh’s Owen Trout opened the scoring early, but Huddersfield responded through Harry Rushton and Taane Milne, establishing a 14‑6 halftime lead.
After the break, Niall Evalds added a try for Huddersfield, while Leigh’s Umyla Hanley and Robbie Mulhern each crossed the line, but Geyer’s second try sealed the win. In another match, the Catalans Dragons visited Castleford and endured a 35‑minute interruption in the second half due to a power outage. Despite the delay, the Dragons emerged victorious, winning 34‑6 and moving up to eighth place. Toby Sexton, Edenn Rogers‑Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd all contributed tries, while Castleford’s lone score came from Lazarus Vaalepu on his home debut – a small consolation in an otherwise disappointing night for the Tigers, who were celebrating the centenary of their first match.
The power failure caused a lengthy pause when the score stood at 16‑6. Play resumed with a brilliant drive from Charlie Staines that set up Condon’s try, effectively sealing the game before Dodd and Sexton added two more scores each. Overall, the round highlighted Leeds’ resurgence and their ability to dominate a strong St Helens side, while also underscoring the volatility of the league table as teams near the bottom fight for survival.
Fans can look forward to the remaining fixtures, with Sky Sports broadcasting every Super League game live this season, offering two exclusive live matches each round and additional coverage on Sky Sports+ for the remaining five fixtures.