Round 6
St Helens 26 d. Leeds Rhinos 18

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Rhinos still favourites despite Saints success
Tue March 24, 2009
Leeds Rhinos remain favourites to win the Super League Grand Final with bookmaker William Hill despite losing their 100% league record at St Helens.

"St Helens were very well backed to beat Leeds and deserved their victory on Friday" said Hill's spokesman Tim Pakyurek, "but given the last two Grand Final results Leeds are still entitled to be marginal favourites."

Hills quote 6/5 about a third consecutive Leeds v St Helens Grand Final and offer 8/13 that at least one of the sides fails to reach the Old Trafford showpiece.

Warrington were cut from 40/1 to 25/1 to win the title after recording their first victory of the season against Hull KR, with Bradford shortened from 25/1 to 16/1 having secured a thrilling win in France. Hull FC drifted from 10/1 to 14/1 after losing their perfect record against Castleford.

To win the Super League Grand Final:

5/4 Leeds; 11/8 St. Helens; 14/1 Hull FC; 16/1 Bradford, Wigan; 25/1 Hull KR, Huddersfield, Warrington. others on request.

Leeds have an opportunity to avenge their defeat at St. Helens when the sides clash in the Challenge Cup in two weeks time, and Hills make the Rhinos 8/11 favourites to win the tie in 80 minutes, with St. Helens quoted at 11/10 and the draw a 16/1 chance.

Leeds are 11/4 favourites to win the Challenge Cup, with St. Helens put in 10/3 to lift the trophy for a fourth consecutive year.

Hills quote Evens about one of the 'big two' winning the Cup, with 'any other side' available at 8/11.


Saints too good for Rhinos despite Senior's milestone
Sat March 21, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Evergreen centre Keith Senior became only the second player to score tries in all 14 seasons of Super League but Leeds lost their 100% record as St Helens gained a measure of revenge for their Grand Final defeat.

The 32-year-old marked his return from a shoulder injury with his 170th and 171st Super League tries to emulate the feat of Saints hooker Keiron Cunningham.

But Senior was overshadowed by his England team-mate Leon Pryce, who was given the honour of leading Saints out on his 100th appearance and celebrated with a polished display to help his side to their fifth win of the season.

Both teams lost their scrum-halves through injury in a feisty clash which epitomised the great rivalry between Super League's big two that was evident in England's World Cup flop.

Full of confidence from their opening five wins, Leeds set off at a cracking pace and dominated the opening exchanges.

Handling errors by Bryn Hargreaves and Paul Clough put Saints put under enormous early pressure and they were forced to defend heroically to keep their line intact.

But, with ball in hand, Saints looked far more threatening, especially with Pyrce calling the shots and a sublime run from the former Bradford stand-off almost got second rower Jon Wilkin over.

Leeds earned some respite but a forward pass deep inside their own half gave their opponents a perfect attacking position and Pryce took advantage to get centre Matt Gidley over for the game's opening try.

Sean Long's goal made it 6-0 and the Rhinos suffered a body blow after 18 minutes when scrum-half Rob Burrow was hurt attempting a tackle on his opposite number and had to be helped groggily from the field.

Leeds reshuffled, however, and struck back within five minutes through a well-worked try from Senior after second rower Carl Ablett worked a run-around with stand-off Danny McGuire.

Kevin Sinfield's touchline conversion levelled the scores but Saints struck twice in a five-minute spell before half-time to regain control.

Second rower Chris Flannery was put through a hole in the Rhinos defence by Long and substitute James Roby was in support to touch down before Pryce went on a solo run to claim his side's third try, with Long adding his third goal.

St Helens suffered the same fate as their opponents when Long was hurt in a tackle three minutes into the second half and had to be helped off.

There were signs of tension between the two sides in the first half and tempers began to flare when Lee Smith of Leeds and St Helens' Lee Gilmour traded punches.

Referee Phil Bentham declined to use the yellow card and he looked to be in danger of losing control when St Helens players reacted furiously to a challenge by Leeds prop Ryan Bailey on Maurie Fa'asavalu.

The champions were the first to regain their composure and pulled a try back after 50 minutes when left winger Ryan Hall crossed after taking a long pass from full-back Brent Webb.

Sinfield converted from the touchline to cut the gap to six points and Leeds spirits rose further with the sight of Burrow re-entering the field after 55 minutes.

But Saints found their second wind and clinched victory with two further tries in the final quarter.

Pryce got Wilkin into his stride and full-back Paul Wellens linked to send teenage winger Gary Wheeler over at the corner and Flannery then broke clear to put Gidley in for his second try.

Leeds at least had the final say when Senior burst through for his second try in injury time and Sinfield added his third touchline goal to ensure his side stay top of the table on points difference.

Fri March 20, 2009
• Senior excited about reaching milestone
  
Fri March 20, 2009
• Headingley Insight: Leeds v St Helens
  
Thu March 19, 2009
• Friday SkyTV Super League: St Helens v Leeds
  

Advanced Search