St Helens saw off Leeds Rhinos last night in a tense and tight game, one that for much of the 80 minutes looked set to head to golden point for the second time this season.
The game was played in an erratic style but it made for brilliant entertainment and at half time with the scores all level it did seem like another classic matchup that could be decided by just one point.
That had happened twice already this season in both meetings between these historic sides with Leeds edging the first clash at the Totally Wicked 25-24 before St Helens avenged that defeat with a 13-12 golden point win at Headingley.
Saints entered the game off the back of a brutal Challenge Cup semi-final loss and that was reflected in their squad with Paul Wellens having to shake up the pack following three injuries picked up against Leigh.
Agnatius Paasi (nine months), Alex Walmsley (three months) and Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook (two weeks) all missed out leaving plenty of work on Matty Lees plate, as he was accompanied by the likes of young George Delaney.
The pack set the tone but it was the backs who ultimately won the game with touches of brilliance from Welsby and Hopoate lifting the Saints to a key win in the course of the season.
That led to plenty of fans on social media who were keen to outline the impressive nature of the victory, given the circumstances.
FULL TIME: ST HELENS WIN 22-18
No Bennison
No Percival
No Walmsley
No Paasi
No Sironen
No Batchelor
No Mata’utia
No Wingfield
No McCarthy-ScarsbrookNo problem….
Here come the Leeds Rhinos to get us back on track 🥰
😂
— RedVee.Net (@RedVeeDotNet) July 28, 2023
One fan went down the approach of listing the numerous players that the Saints were without, before joking it was “no problem” at all.
Hearing there will be an Emergency General Meeting held at Headingley today, followed by a press conference, where it's expected Uncle Gary Hetherington will announce that the Leeds Rhinos are disbanding with immediate effect
Fev will be asked to complete the '23 season for them
— Truth Talking Maverick (@TruthTalkingMav) July 29, 2023
Another joked that there would be a crisis meeting held at Headingley even going as far to kid that Chief Executive Officer Gary Hetherington would be disbanding the club.
Great win for Saints. Leeds poor. Half's awful. They will fall short of the 6 IMO.
— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) July 28, 2023
Former official Richard Silverwood took a more measured approach suggesting that was the end of Leeds’ top six ambitions.
Jesus 12 wins for saints and 12 have been because of refs according to opposition fans 😂 bitter fans, when their teams win its because they are class and refs never give them decisions 😂 Liam Moore is wigan born and a wigan fan but yea wants to help saints win, embarrassing
— Jamie Briscoe (@jamiebriscoe) July 28, 2023
One fan rubbished claims that Liam Moore had influenced the game in St Helens’ favour.
The Saltiness by fans of every other team on here when saints win is superb
😅😅— Andrew Day (@Andy_Day9) July 28, 2023
It was also pointed out that almost all fans on social media don’t want St Helens to win, which made those fans who rejoiced even more boastful.
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