Saint Hohaia stuns Rhinos

LEEDS were brought crashing back down to earth last night as Lance Hohaia’s late drop-goal completed a second-half fightback by St Helens.

Fresh from their Challenge Cup final victory over Castleford, the Rhinos were forced to play with 12 men for the best part of an hour against the Super League leaders.

Australian centre Joel Moon was shown a straight red card for a cynical late shoulder charge on St Helens’ Mark Percival in the 22nd minute.

Brian McDermott’s men could have easily buckled at that point, but put in a battling performance and were unlucky to come away empty-handed.

There was an energy and a self-belief about the Rhinos even before Moon’s dismissal and

LEEDS ST HELENS 12 13

despite the absence of injured playmakers Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire.

A penalty from Percival put Saints in front, but Kevin Sinfield replied with a two-pointer of his own before adding another to put Leeds ahead after Moon had seen red.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Rhinos scored the only try of the first half through teenage half-back Liam Sutcliffe. He weaved his way over the line with Sinfield’s boot helping them into a 12-2 interval lead. The loss of Moon served to galvanise Leeds and they defended like demons for large parts of the second half.

However, Saints hit back in the 62nd minute when prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook barrelled over. James Roby, left, then touched down with Tommy Makinson’s conversion levelling the scores, before a drop-goal from Hohaia secured the victory.

St Helens extended their lead at the top, but Leeds will fancy their chances of Grand Final glory if they can keep 13 men on the field.