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 top of the table. The performance, highlighted by six tries at the Brewdog Stadium, not only halted the Saints' recent surge but also pushed the Merseyside side out of the play‑off positions with only two rounds left in the campaign. From the first whistle, Leeds applied relentless pressure. Within seven minutes, Jake Connor delivered a perfectly timed, delayed pass that allowed Chris Hankinson to dive over for the opening score, giving Brad Arthur’s side an early advantage.
The momentum quickly shifted when Cameron Smith and Harry Newman each crossed the line in quick succession before the half‑time break, establishing a comfortable lead that left the home crowd stunned. The second half saw the Rhinos extend their superiority with a series of well‑orchestrated attacks. Veteran winger Ryan Hall showcased his experience with a brilliant flick that sent the ball out of his hand and into the corner, allowing him to touch down.
Ash Handley added his name to the scoresheet after Connor’s deft grubber kick slipped through the Saints’ defense, while Brodie Croft capped the night’s tally by collecting a perfectly placed kick from Connor that ricocheted off the post before he gathered it for a try. Connor himself was instrumental, converting five of the six Leeds tries and keeping the scoreboard ticking over, although his attempt at a late penalty struck the post. Leeds’ defensive discipline complemented their attacking flair.
Early in the match, interim Saints coach Eamon O'Carroll had sparked optimism with back‑to‑back victories, reviving hopes of a top‑six finish. However, the Rhinos’ early onslaught blunted that momentum. The Saints managed a fleeting response when Jack Welsby broke free from a Jonny Lomax pass, evading a last‑ditch tackle from Lachie Miller to score, with Tristan Sailor adding the conversion.
Yet Leeds swiftly re‑established control, with Connor’s strategic kicking creating two additional opportunities that Handley and Croft converted. The match also featured a brief disciplinary incident when Leeds forward Daniel Suluka‑Fifita received a sin‑bin for a late tackle on Presley Cassell, who subsequently underwent a head‑injury assessment and was cleared to continue. Despite being reduced to 12 men for a short period, Leeds maintained their dominance, illustrating the depth and resilience of their squad.
Beyond the Leeds‑St Helens clash, the round delivered other notable storylines. Huddersfield secured a crucial victory at the lower end of the table, defeating Leigh 30‑18. The Giants, battling to avoid relegation, were propelled by Cole Geyer’s double‑try performance, which helped them climb to 14 points and overtake second‑bottom York. Leigh, on the other hand, showed flashes of promise when Owen Trout crossed for an early try, but the Giants responded with a half‑time lead courtesy of Harry Rushton and Taane Milne.
The second half saw Niall Evalds add a try for Huddersfield, while Leigh’s Umyla Hanley and Robbie Mulhern each found the line, keeping the contest lively until Geyer’s second try sealed the win for Huddersfield. In another fixture, the Catalans Dragons visited Castleford and emerged victorious with a 34‑6 scoreline after a 35‑minute interruption caused by a power outage. Despite the delay, the Dragons displayed clinical finishing, with Toby Sexton scoring twice, Edenn Rogers‑Smith and Leo Darrelatour each adding a try, and Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd completing the tally.
Castleford, marking the centenary of their inaugural match, were left with a solitary try from Lazarus Vaalepu, making the night a sombre reminder of the gap between the two sides. These results have reshaped the Super League landscape as the season draws toward its climax. Leeds’ victory not only restores them to the summit but also sends a clear message to their rivals that they remain the team to beat. The Saints, now outside the play‑off picture, must regroup quickly if they hope to salvage a respectable finish.
Meanwhile, the battle for survival intensifies, with Huddersfield’s win providing a lifeline and the Catalans solidifying their position in the upper half of the table. Looking ahead, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live throughout the season, offering two exclusive live games each round on its main channel, while the remaining fixtures will be available via Sky Sports+.
Fans are encouraged to use Chrome for the optimal video experience, ensuring they don’t miss any of the drama as the league races toward its final stages.