Leeds 0 – 26 St Helens

Tommy Makinson leads the way with two tries, while Konrad Hurrell, Lewis Dodd and Jonny Lomax also cross as St Helens inflict more misery on the struggling Rhinos; captain James Roby celebrates a win on his 500th appearance for Saints

Tommy Makinson goes over for a try in St Helens’ win over Leeds

Tommy Makinson became the first player in the Betfred Super League to reach double figures for tries this season as St Helens returned to the top of the table with a 26-0 victory over struggling Leeds Rhinos.

Konrad Hurrell returned to haunt his former club with the opening try five minutes in and that was followed by Makinson going over just after the quarter-hour mark, and although the Rhinos did claw their way back into the contest they failed to register as Saints led 8-0 at half-time.

Leeds’ resistance was broken 13 minutes into the second half as Makinson intercepted and ran 85 metres for his 10th try of the season, with half-backs Lewis Dodd and Jonny Lomax also crossing to secure victory for the reigning champions on the occasion of James Roby’s 500th Saints appearance.

Story of the game

The final score marked the 10th time in a row St Helens had beaten Leeds, while at the same time condemning them to a fifth home defeat in as many games in 2022 – the worst home start to a campaign in the club’s history.

Leeds, in their second game under interim head coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan, played with plenty of spirit but lacked the creativity to unlock the best defence in Super League.

The early signs were ominous as Saints raced into an 8-0 lead and the opening try came from Hurrell, who was fed from a scrum by Roby and easily brushed off the challenge of Jack Broadbent.

Hooker Roby was then held up over the line before Makinson, restored to his customary right-wing spot, collected a cut-out pass from full-back Jack Welsby to cross for his side’s second try.

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Makinson scored with a trademark dive in the corner for St Helens’ second try against Leeds Rhinos

Makinson was unable to convert either try but, such was the champions’ early dominance, it hardly seemed material. However, Leeds gradually worked their way into the game and, after Hurrell knocked on near his own line, they pounded away at the Saints’ line.

Prop Matt Prior was brought down inches short and a 40-20 kick from captain Kruise Leeming helped the Rhinos maintain the pressure but the Saints’ defence was impregnable.

Fumbles by both wingmen, Jon Bennison and Makinson, presented Leeds with more attacking opportunities early in the second half but Saints comfortably held them at bay and, when full-back Jack Walker did manage to break through, he was called back for an obstruction.

The Leeds lifeline was finally severed when Saints cut loose to score two tries in four minutes. Makinson went near-on the length of the field after intercepting a wild pass by Liam Sutcliffe and scrum-half Dodd finished off a break by centre Mark Percival, who kicked both conversions.

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Makinson intercepted and raced 85 metres to score a sensational solo try and move his side further ahead against Leeds Rhinos

Percival was also on target after stand-off Lomax re-gathered his own chip kick to score the visitors’ fifth try 10 minutes from the end and put the seal on the win, before the players joined the travelling fans after the final hooter to celebrate Roby’s special night.

What’s next?

St Helens continue their defence of the Challenge Cup when they travel to Perpignan to face Catalans Dragons in the quarter-finals on Saturday, April 9.

Leeds have a weekend off due to being eliminated from the Cup last week and return to action on Thursday, April 14 at home to Huddersfield Giants in Super League.