HANDY ASH IS TWO HOT
LEADERS Saints were downed by the man who loves playing against them.
Ash Handley was only in the Leeds team because injuries ruled out two centres ahead of him.
But he has a superb record against Saints and he scored two crucial tries last night.
His double took his tally to 10 in six games against them and crucially helped end their unbeaten start to the season.
Saints stay top but the champions are now just two points adrift with a game in hand.
Form
Anthony Mullally drew first blood for Leeds with a wonderful early effort, twisting his way over from close range.
But Saints danger man Ben Barba struck back with his fifth try on the back of quick hands by Danny Richardson and Jonny Lomax.
Richardson has been keeping former England star Matty Smith out and on this form Smith will struggle to get back in.
Then Richardson, 21, showed a cool head way beyond his years to help set up Adam Swift.
But the Rhinos refused to be shaken off and pulled themselves level with a Richie Myler try late in the first half.
The game continued on a knife edge as the sides traded penalties to make it 14-14 with 20 minutes left to play.
Handley raced on to a Myler kick for an unconverted try that gave them back the lead for the first time since the 10th minute. He then got lucky for his second when a Joel Moon kick fell nicely into his path.
Saints failed to give up without a fight and struck back to within two points with Barba’s second after a break by Regan Grace.
But Leeds edged themselves to safety with a late try from hooker Matt Parcell following a mistake by Zeb Taia.