A tight affair in round five of the Betfred Super League saw Leeds Rhinos lose out 18-8 to St Helens at AMT Headingley.

Despite taking the lead through a Luis Roberts try and Rhyse Martin penalty in the first half, the Rhinos were undone by back-to-back tries in the second half as the visitors took the two league points in a close encounter.

Team News

Rohan Smith made two changes to the team that started the win over Leigh. James Bentley returned after serving his one-match suspension, and Justin Sangare also moved into the starters in a straight swap with Mickael Goudemand. Goudemand rotated onto the bench, where he joined Tom Holroyd, Jarrod O’Connor and Alfie Edgell.

Paul Momirovski’s absence through injury meant that Rhyse Martin moved into the centres, a familiar position to last season, alongside Ash Handley. Leeds captain Cameron Smith made his 150^th career appearance too.

Saints only made one change to their lineup as Matty Lees was straight back into the starting side. Joe Batchelor was moved from a substitute to a starter after Tommy Makinson pulled out in the warm up too, with George Delaney moving onto the bench.

1st Half

The first half couldn’t have been tighter between the two teams as they both got stuck into the action quickly.

The opening ten minutes saw both sides trade blows, but the biggest opportunity was a shift by Leeds out to Harry Newman’s side and the centre had fresh space to attack, only to be brought down short of the try line.

Nevertheless, it was the home side that took the lead as Luis Roberts opened his account for the season. Off the back of a penalty and set restart, the Saints defence started to waiver and Leeds sensed a threat down Ash Handley’s wing. Matt Frawley tried to duck through a handful of challenges to get Leeds closer before pivots Cam Smith and Brodie Croft shifted the ball across the line and Croft provided Roberts with a great ball over the top. With work still to do, the winger beat through the challenges of Blake and Dodd to plant the ball down.

Leeds’ backs continued to look dangerous as Lachie Miller threatened to break on a number of occasions, and leading try scorer Handley also found space, only for a loose carry from Andy Ackers to end the set.

A Rhyse Martin penalty goal after Miller was stripped of the ball by Joe Batchelor gave the Rhinos a firmer foothold in the game, but the latter stages of the half saw Saints come alive.

A break by Matty Lees and a close drive for the line from Matt Whitley fired warning shots at Rohan Smith’s side, before Waqa Blake struck off the back of Roberts and James Bentley not being able to take a chip kick from Lewis Dodd in the corner.

Late drama also saw the visitors apply pressure after Miller was caught with the ball on the last tackle. Leeds defended their line well though, taking Leeds into the break 8-6 ahead.

2nd Half

The second half began with both Leeds and Saints looking like they’d never missed a beat, but the visitors made the breakthrough off the back of a Leeds error.

A knock on from Roberts coming away from his own line was unfortunate as Saints held their nerve moving across the Leeds try line to open up space for Jon Bennison to score in the corner.

Moments later, Paul Wellens’ side extended their lead with a second try. Miller’s kick to restart the game sailed over the in goal to go out on the full and from the ensuing penalty, Moses Mbye caught Leeds’ defence napping to go out of dummy half and under the posts untouched. Lomax kicked both conversions to take the score to 18-8.

With under 20 minutes left, Leeds tried to mount a comeback but lacked the final touches. Close to the Saints try line, Smith tried to feed Justin Sangare with a short pass for the posts, but the prop fumbled the ball to turn it over. Matt Frawley also tried an interesting reverse kick for Croft to chase, but Jack Welsby was back to reclaimed, before Newman tried one of his trademark runs off a step, but the wet conditions saw the centre fumble the ball.

Next Up

The two sides are back in action at AMT Headingley next Friday night in Round Six of the Betfred Challenge Cup, kick off 8pm.

Buy tickets online now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk, over the phone on 0371 423 1315 or in person from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop (please check opening hours before traveling).

Match Facts

Leeds Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 5. Ash Handley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 3 Harry Newman, 24. Luis Roberts, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 17. Justin Sangare, 16. James McDonnell, 11. James Bentley, 13. Cameron Smith

Subs: 10. Tom Holroyd, 29. Alfie Edgell, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 18. Mickael Goudemand (18^th Man: James Donaldson)

Tries: Roberts (10)

Goals: Martin 2/2

St Helens

1. Jack Welsby, 3. Waqa Blake, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 19. Matt Whitley, 5. Jonathan Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Matty Lees, 12. Joe Batchelor, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 13. Morgan Knowles

Subs: 14. Moses Mbye, 15. James Bell, 18. Jake Wingfield, 20. George Delaney  (18^th Man – 21. Ben Davies

Tries: Blake (34), Bennison (57), Mbye (61)

Goals: Lomax 3/3