This may not go down as one of Leeds’ most eye-catching displays of 2017 but it could certainly turn out to be one of the more important. The emergence of exciting talent has been commonplace in the Rhinos’ recent history and, in the absence of so much experience here, how thankful Leeds were to two promising prospects as they strengthened their position in Super League’s top four with the final weeks of the regular season approaching.
The rigours of last season and Leeds’ unlikely battle against relegation seem a good while ago with the Rhinos sitting second in Super League this year. But the class of 2016 may not have been able to overcome the loss of such senior players to grind out a victory which, come the end of the season, could be priceless.
Without frontline players such as their captain, Danny McGuire, and fellow senior players such as Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Rob Burrow, the onus here fell on Leeds’ younger players to solidify their play-off place before the split for the Super 8s next month.
While it was undoubtedly a struggle on occasions Leeds had just about enough to get past a St Helens side who had been threatening a push for the top four themselves in the weeks since their new coach, Justin Holbrook, assumed control.
For the Saints the game swung on two moments – they were made to play almost the entire game without their scrum-half, Matty Smith, who suffered a torn eyelid in the opening minutes, and their captain, Jon Wilkin, was sin-binned with 20 minutes to go.
At that stage St Helens were ahead but Wilkin’s exit helped spark a Leeds revival. “It was massive, wasn’t it,” lamented Holbrook of the yellow card. “It makes it hard without your captain. Matty has gone to hospital because they couldn’t stitch the ripped eyelid. It’s worse than a cut, that’s for sure.”
Without Smith the Saints took an early lead after Adam Swift finished a break from Dominique Peyroux. With McGuire and Burrow missing due to suspension and injury respectively, after Joel Moon had levelled the contest, the Rhinos were grateful to two of their junior prospects for establishing a narrow half-time lead.
The young half-back, Jordan Lilley, added a penalty to make it 6-4 before the 17-year-old full-back, Jack Walker – who was outstanding in only his fourth senior appearance for Leeds – denied the St Helens hooker James Roby with a magnificent last-ditch tackle.
Walker and Lilley combined to send Stevie Ward over shortly after half-time before the Saints took the lead through tries from James Roby and Tommy Makinson.
However, Wilkin’s yellow card for an apparent crusher tackle proved crucial; 90 seconds later Leeds were back ahead through Kallum Watkins’ try and Moon linked up with Hall to secure victory in the closing moments.
Leeds Walker; Briscoe, Watkins, Sutcliffe, Hall; Moon, Lilley; Galloway, Parcell, Singleton, Ablett, Ward, Cuthbertson. Interchange Garbutt, Mullally, Ormondroyd, Handley.
Tries Moon, Ward, Watkins, Hall. Goals Lilley 4.
St Helens Lomax; Swift, Makinson, Morgan, Grace; Fages, Smith; Thompson, Roby, Amor, Wilkin, Taia, Knowles. Interchange Walmsley, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Douglas, Peyroux.
Tries Swift, Makinson, Roby, Walmsley. Goals Makinson 3.
Referee J Child. Attendance 13,262.
