Leeds reclaimed the summit of the Betfred Super League after a commanding 34‑6 win at St Helens on Friday night. The Rhinos produced a masterclass, crossing the line six times at the Brewdog Stadium, a performance that not only halted the Saints' recent upswing but also pushed the Merseyside side out of the play‑off positions with just two rounds left in the campaign. The match got off to a swift start when Chris Hankinson, fed by a perfectly timed delayed pass from Jake Connor, touched down for the opening score after only seven minutes. That early breakthrough set the tone, and Leeds never looked back.
Within a few minutes, Cameron Smith and Harry Newman each added a try, extending the lead and effectively seizing control before the half‑time whistle. Their quick succession of scores forced St Helens onto the back foot and underscored Leeds' intent to dominate from the outset. The second half saw the Rhinos continue their onslaught.
Veteran winger Ryan Hall demonstrated his class with a brilliant flick from the back of his hand that saw him glide over the line, while Ash Handley and Brodie Croft each completed the scoring barrage with well‑executed tries. Jake Connor proved instrumental not only in setting up the tries but also in converting them, landing five successful kicks at goal and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Leeds' performance was a stark contrast to the earlier result where Wigan had thrashed Hull KR, allowing the Rhinos to leapfrog the champions in the league table.
The early pressure applied by Leeds paid dividends; after the initial try, the team kept the Saints under relentless scrutiny. Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll, who had guided St Helens to back‑to‑back victories and revived their hopes of breaking into the top six, found his side frustrated by a defense that was both disciplined and aggressive. A moment of potential controversy arose when Cooper Jenkins appeared to score a second try for Leeds, but a quick review ruled the effort a knock‑on in the build‑up, nullifying the score.
St Helens began to find a rhythm later in the first half, with Deon Cross having two opportunities denied—first by a solid Leeds defensive line and then by a referee's decision after a looping pass from Tristan Sailor was judged forward. The match also featured a brief period of numerical disadvantage for Leeds when Daniel Suluka‑Fifita received a sin‑bin for a late tackle on Presley Cassell. Cassell, however, was able to undergo a head injury assessment and return to the field after being cleared. Despite being reduced to 12 men for a short spell, Leeds maintained their dominance, with Jack Bird coming close to scoring a try off a bouncing ball before Cameron Smith broke through the Saints' line for a spectacular individual effort.
Just before the interval, Harry Newman capped a sweeping move by grounding the ball in the corner, giving Leeds a comfortable lead at the break. The second half began with a near‑miss when Tom Holroyd appeared to touch down, but the video referee determined the ball had not been firmly grounded, overturning the try. The decision provided only a fleeting respite for St Helens.
Leeds soon extended their advantage further when Jack Bird delivered a perfectly timed pass to Ryan Hall, whose veteran experience shone as he flicked the ball over the line. St Helens managed to answer with a try from Jack Welsby, who broke away from a Jonny Lomax pass and evaded a last‑ditch tackle by Lachie Miller, with Sailor converting to keep the scoreline respectable. However, Leeds quickly restored their dominance.
Connor's tactical kicking created two more scoring opportunities. He delivered a delicate grubber that Ash Handley pounced on for a try, and later executed a deliberate kick that ricocheted off the post, allowing Brodie Croft to collect and finish the move. Connor successfully converted both attempts, though his attempt at a late penalty struck the post, ending his personal tally. Beyond the headline fixture, the round featured several other noteworthy matches.
Huddersfield secured a vital win near the bottom of the table, beating Leigh 30‑18. Cole Geyer was the star for the Giants, scoring twice as they notched five tries to climb to 14 points, overtaking second‑bottom York. Leigh’s Owen Trout opened the scoring early, but the Giants responded with a try from Harry Rushton before halftime, establishing a 14‑6 lead that they would maintain. In the second half, Niall Evalds added a try for Huddersfield, giving them breathing space before an end‑to‑end contest unfolded.
Leigh’s Umyla Hanley pulled the home side back within reach with a 59th‑minute try, only for Geyer to answer seven minutes later, sealing the victory for Huddersfield. Another dramatic encounter saw Catalans Dragons overcome Castleford Tigers 34‑6 after a 35‑minute power outage halted play in the second half. Catalans, now eighth in the table, benefited from tries by Toby Sexton, Edenn Rogers‑Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd.
Castleford, marking the centenary of their first match, endured a disappointing night, with Lazarus Vaalepu scoring their solitary try. The power failure caused a lengthy delay when the score stood at 16‑6. Once play resumed, a brilliant run by Charlie Staines set up Ben Condon for a try that effectively put the game beyond Castleford’s reach.
Dodd and Sexton added further scores to cement the Dragons’ comfortable win. Overall, the round highlighted Leeds’ resurgence and their determination to stay atop the league, while St Helens’ play‑off ambitions suffered a significant blow. The Rhinos’ blend of swift attacking flair, disciplined defense and strategic kicking proved too much for the Saints, and their six‑try display will be remembered as one of the season’s most comprehensive victories.
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