St Helens suffer devastating blow

For the first time since 2020, both Leeds Rhinos and St Helens have started the season well. The two teams entered the clash at the newly renamed AMT Headingley Stadium with three wins from their opening four games.

Leeds Rhinos got their season up and running with a scrappy win over Salford Red Devils, a result that has increased in value week after week since they got their season off to a winning start. The week after, however, they were dealt their first defeat as they squandered an impressive first half to lose to Hull KR after a pair of yellow cards. Leeds followed that with a really impressive win over Catalans Dragons prior to a win over Leigh Leopards battling back from 16-0 down to win 22-16.

St Helens meanwhile began the season scoring tries for fun against London Broncos, backed that up with hard fought wins over Huddersfield Giants and Leigh Leopards but last week a red card for Mark Percival saw them give up a terrific comeback win to Salford Red Devils.

The question was who would claim the spoils tonight at Headingley stadium?

Well early on Leeds Rhinos staked their claim as the dominated the play with an extraordinary pace. Harry Newman came close to opening the scoring before Luis Roberts would power over after a great Brodie Croft ball. A Rhyse Martin penalty made it 8-0.

But the Saints would plot a route back into the game and would trim the deficit with a try from Waqa Blake.

The start to the second half was back and forth but Saints would take a 12-8 lead via a Jon Bennison try in the corner. That lead would be instantly extended by a Moses Mbye try. The Saints led 18-8.

The score would stay that way an Saints would keep up with Wigan at the Super League summit.

St Helens suffer crucial blow

It was a great win for St Helens especially seen as though they lost star man Tommy Makinson before kick-off.

Paul Wellens confirmed it was due to a hamstring injury:

“Tommy just pulled up tight with his hamstring and he didn’t feel like he could plat. When it’s like that, you’re probably best to not take risks. So we had a very, very last minute reshuffle, which was a tough decision to make under pressure, but we had John Bennison moving to the right wing, Waqa Blake moving to the left wing, Matty Whitley to the centre, Joe Batchelor came off the bench, George Delaney came onto the bench. So there was a number of changes that have to be made in one match.

“Whether we got that decision right or not, I’m not too sure, but it’s a credit to the playing group really, that they can handle that disruption and still go out there and get results.”

Wellens also confirmed he was likely to miss at least next week’s Challenge Cup game against the Rhinos and with a hamstring more games could follow and with the derby looming against Wigan Warriors this could be a really big blow.