Saints miss out on Wembley in thriller

LEEDS RHINOS ....... 24 ST HELENS .............. 14

AGELESS warrior Jamie Peacock produced a vintage performance to ensure his final season as a player will be marked by another trip to Wembley as he helped Leeds to a win over St Helens in an epic Challenge Cup semi-final at Warrington.

In a furiously fast-paced match there were several candidates for tries of the season but it was Peacock’s 30-metre charge for the line that will live longest in the memory as the cup holders came up with a magnificent display to secure a fifth final in six years.

Zak Hardaker and Joel Moon put Leeds ahead before Peacock’s superb effort put Leeds 18-4 ahead.

Two tries from Mark Percival kept Saints in touch but Kallum Watkins crossed late on to ensure Leeds will play Warrington or Hull KR in the final.

Saints Helens full-back Adam Quinlan said his side couldn’t fight back after the Rhinos’ impressive start.

“Leeds got off to a flyer,” he said.

“We went into half-time confident and with a bit of momentum - we did well to go in only eight points down.

“But then they started the second half the same way that they did the first, and they were probably just too good tonight.”

Leeds head coach Brian McDermott was full of praise for the Saints’ fighting spirit.

“That was a tough game. We had a cracking start and got hold of the game,” he said.

“There were some really shaky and scary moments in the second half - Saints threw everything at us, and it was a real contest. I think the good start got us the game.”