Leeds reclaimed the top spot in the Betfred Super League after delivering a commanding 34-6 win at St Helens on Friday night. The Rhinos displayed an all‑encompassing performance at the Brewdog Stadium, crossing the try line six times and effectively ending the Saints' recent surge. The loss also pushed the Merseysiders out of the playoff positions with only two rounds left in the regular season.
The match got off to a swift start when Chris Hankinson, fed by a perfectly timed pass from Jake Connor, touched down for the opening score after just 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 leaving the home side scrambling for answers before the half‑time whistle. Leeds continued to pile on the pressure in the second half. Veteran winger Ryan Hall produced a brilliant flick from the back of his hand, slipping the ball to the far corner for his own try. Ash Handley then capitalised on a delicate grubber kick from Connor, grounding the ball in the corner to make it five tries.
Finally, Brodie Croft completed the scoring spree after Connor deliberately kicked the ball against the post, allowing Croft to pounce on the loose ball and finish the move. Connor was equally impressive with the boot, converting five of the six tries and adding two successful penalty attempts, although his final kick struck the upright. The Rhinos’ dominance was a stark contrast to the Saints, who had been enjoying a brief revival under interim coach Eamon O'Carroll. O'Carroll had guided St Helens to back‑to‑back victories that had revived hopes of breaking into the top six, but Leeds’ relentless defence and relentless attack quickly neutralised that momentum.
Deon Cross saw two promising opportunities thwarted – first by a solid Leeds line and then by a referee’s decision after a looping pass from Tristan Sailor was ruled forward. A further moment of drama arrived when Leeds lost a player to the sin‑bin. Daniel Suluka‑Fifita was sent off for a late, high tackle on Presley Cassell, who subsequently underwent a head‑injury assessment and was cleared to continue. Despite being reduced to twelve men for a short spell, Leeds maintained their intensity, with Jack Bird coming close to a try before Smith broke through the Saints’ defence for a spectacular individual effort.
St Helens managed to get on the scoreboard when Jack Welsby broke free from a pass by Jonny Lomax, evading a last‑ditch tackle from Lachie Miller and diving over for a try, which Tristan Sailor converted. However, that moment of relief was short‑lived as Leeds responded with another pair of scores. Connor’s tactical kicking created space for Handley’s grubber try and later for Croft’s opportunistic finish, cementing a comfortable lead.
Beyond the headline result, the weekend featured other notable fixtures. Huddersfield secured a crucial win near the bottom of the table, beating Leigh 30-18. Cole Geyer was the star for the Giants, scoring twice as they amassed five tries in total and climbed to 14 points, overtaking second‑bottom York. Leigh’s Owen Trout opened the scoring early, but the Giants fought back, with Harry Rushton and Taane Milne contributing to a 14-6 halftime advantage.
After the break, Niall Evalds added another try for Huddersfield, while Leigh’s Umyla Hanley and Robbie Mulhern each crossed the line, keeping the contest lively until Geyer’s second try sealed the victory. In another dramatic encounter, the Catalans Dragons visited Castleford and emerged 34-6 winners after a 35‑minute interruption caused by a power outage. Despite the delay, Catalans maintained their rhythm, with Toby Sexton scoring twice, Edenn Rogers‑Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Ben Condon and Lewis Dodd also finding the try line. Castleford, celebrating the centenary of their first match, were left with a solitary try from Lazarus Vaalepu, a disappointing night for the home side.
The broader context of the season remains compelling. Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game live, offering two exclusive live matches each round, while the remaining fixtures are available on Sky Sports+.
As the campaign enters its final stages, the battle for playoff positions intensifies, and Leeds’ resounding victory over St Helens not only restores them to the summit but also sends a clear message to their rivals that they are intent on defending their crown.