Leeds reclaimed the top spot in the Betfred Super League after delivering a commanding 34‑6 win at the Brewdog Stadium on Friday night. The Rhinos displayed a level of dominance that not only halted St Helens' recent surge but also pushed the Merseyside side further down the ladder, leaving them outside the play‑off positions with just two rounds left in the campaign.
The match got off to a fast start when Chris Hankinson, fed by a cleverly timed pass from Jake Connor, crossed for the opening try after only seven minutes. That early breakthrough set the tone, and Leeds never looked back. Within a few minutes, Cameron Smith and Harry Newman added two quick scores, extending the lead and effectively putting the game out of Saints' reach before the half‑time whistle.
Leeds continued to pile on the points after the break. Veteran winger Ryan Hall showcased his experience with a brilliant flick that saw the ball glide over the try line, while Ash Handley and Brodie Croft each completed the scoring onslaught with well‑executed finishes.
Connor, who had already contributed the first try, was flawless with the boot, converting five of the six tries and missing only a late penalty attempt that struck the post. The Rhinos' performance was a stark contrast to the earlier round when Wigan thrashed Hull KR, allowing Leeds to leapfrog the champions and move into first place.
Leeds' early pressure paid dividends, as they forced St Helens into a defensive shell that never fully recovered. Interim Saints coach Eamon O'Carroll, who had sparked a brief revival with back‑to‑back victories, saw his momentum evaporate as Leeds dictated the tempo from the first whistle. A few moments of drama unfolded when Cooper Jenkins thought he had added another try for Leeds, but the video referee ruled a knock‑on in the build‑up, nullifying the effort.
Saints began to find a rhythm later in the first half, with Deon Cross breaking through twice, only to be denied first by the Leeds defence and then by a forward pass call on Tristan Sailor’s looping effort. The game turned slightly more physical when Leeds lost Daniel Suluka‑Fifita to a sin‑bin for a late tackle on Presley Cassell. Cassell, who suffered a head injury, was later cleared after a brief assessment, allowing the match to continue with Leeds temporarily reduced to twelve men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Leeds pressed on, and Jack Bird came close to scoring when a bouncing ball nearly touched the ground in the corner. Shortly after, Cameron Smith produced a solo masterpiece, breaking through the Saints line to score a spectacular individual try. Just before the interval, Harry Newman capped a sweeping move with a corner‑angle try, giving Leeds a comfortable lead at the break.
Early in the second half, Tom Holroyd appeared to add another score, but the video referee again intervened, determining that the ball had not been properly grounded. The decision was a brief respite for St Helens, but Leeds responded swiftly.
Bird released Ryan Hall with a deft flick of his hand, and the seasoned winger slid over for his second try of the match. Saints managed a consolation score when Jack Welsby broke free from a Jonny Lomax pass, evading a last‑ditch tackle from Lachie Miller and touching down, with Sailor converting.
However, Leeds quickly restored their dominance. Connor’s boot work continued to be a decisive factor.
He first sent a delicate grubber kick that Ash Handley collected for a try, then deliberately kicked the ball against the post, allowing Brodie Croft to pounce and finish the move. Both conversions were successful, cementing a 34‑6 final score. The only missed opportunity for Connor came late when a penalty attempt rattled the post. Beyond the headline fixture, the round featured several other noteworthy results.
Huddersfield secured a vital win near the bottom of the table, defeating Leigh 30‑18. Cole Geyer was the star for the Giants, crossing twice as they amassed five tries to climb to 14 points, overtaking second‑bottom York. Leigh’s Owen Trout had opened the scoring early, but the Giants fought back, with Harry Rushton and Taane Milne contributing to a 14‑6 halftime lead.
Niall Evalds added a post‑break try, and despite a late surge from Leigh’s Robbie Mulhern, Geyer’s second try sealed the victory. In another match, the Catalans Dragons faced Castleford at the Tigers’ historic ground. The game was interrupted for 35 minutes in the second half due to a power outage, but when play resumed the Dragons continued their dominance, eventually winning 34‑6. Toby Sexton was instrumental, scoring twice, while Edenn Rogers‑Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd each added to the tally.
Castleford, celebrating the centenary of their first match, could only muster a solitary try from Lazarus Vaalepu, making the night a somber one for the hosts. Overall, the round underscored Leeds’ resurgence and their intent to stay atop the Super League as the season heads toward its climax. With only two games remaining, the battle for the top six and the coveted play‑off spots intensifies, and Leeds’ comprehensive victory sends a clear message to rivals: the Rhinos are back in form and eager to defend their position. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two games each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available via Sky Sports+.