Danny McGuire scored a late drop goal to put Leeds Rhinos within 80 minutes of the Grand Final courtesy of an 11-10 win over St Helens tonight.
Kallum Watkins scored the only try of a tight first half as he kept control of the ball with just his little finger to touch down and give the hosts a 4-0 lead.
Leeds extended their advantage shortly after the restart when Joel Moon went over, while Kevin Sinfield made his kick this time to make it 10-0.
Willie Manu pulled a try back for the visitors within six minutes before adding a second nine minutes from time, although Jordan Turner was unable to convert the latter to ensure that the scores remained level.
The St Helens defence rushed to block a suspected Sinfield drop goal late on, but he shifted it along to McGuire, who slotted his kick over to clinch a dramatic win for his side.
You can read how a glorious night of Super League rugby unfolded with Sports Mole's love coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole's live coverage of the second and final Super League preliminary semi-final as Leeds Rhinos host St Helens in a fixture that is steeped in history. The winner will progress to the next round, while the loser will be eliminated from the playoffs tonight.
Let's start with our hosts today, who have almost monopolised the playoff stages in the last few years. Few, if any, teams are better come this stage of the season than the Leeds Rhinos and, although their last outing saw them comfortably beaten by Warrington, they will still go into this one with plenty of confidence.
That Warrington match saw Leeds condemned to this fixture instead of moving straight on to the qualifying playoffs. A win tonight would put them at that stage, however, and they could face Warrington again there depending on who the Wolves choose at the club call. Huddersfield, the third side to qualify for the semis, sent a message last night with a record-breaking win over Hull FC so the ball is very much in Leeds's park now.
Even with Huddersfield's destruction of Hull yesterday, Warrington will certainly think twice about choosing Leeds if they do progress. The Rhinos have reached, and won the Grand Final in five of the last six years, including two in a row going into the current season. They actually beat Warrington in the final last season, running out 26-18 winners.
The reigning champions won't be affected by the fact that they 'only' managed to finish third this season as, of those five titles in the last six years, they have only topped the regular season table once, in 2009. They also topped the table back in 2004, and went on to win the Grand Final that year as well.
They won't be too put off by the fact that they lost their opening match either. The Rhinos lost their qualifying playoff but still went on to win the Super League title in 2004, 2007 and 2008 so, if anyone can do it, it is most certainly them.
The hosts have a couple of milestones coming up tonight, with Kylie Leuluai making his 300th career appearance and Kallum Watkins making his 100th. All eyes will be on Jamie Peacock tonight though. The evergreen Super League stalwart is the only player from either of these sides to be named in the dream team this season, while he has also been nominated for the Man of Steel award. Should he win the latter, he will become just the fourth player to have won it twice. Peacock has certainly earned his nomination having gained more metres (3,592) than any other player in the league this season.
Moving on to St Helens and, if Leeds are the kings of the post-season, then the Saints are not far behind at all. They have reached six of the last seven Grand Finals, with their consecutive run only ending last season. From 2006 to 2011, they reached every single final, which is a phenomenal achievement.
They qualified for this match courtesy of a 46-10 win over Hull KR last week, showing the rest of the competition that, despite finishing outside of the top four in the regular season, they are contenders to reach yet another final this year. The Saints finished fifth in the league, just four points behind fourth and six behind tonight's opponents.
Of those six consecutive finals, the Saints won just one, beating Hull FC in 2006 before going on to lose five in a row, four of which came at the hands of Leeds.
The Saints have overall reached nine of the 15 Super League Grand Finals, but they have only managed to pick up four winners medals in that time. Leeds are certainly something of a bogey team for them in the playoffs, and they will be hoping that they can overcome that tonight.
Their recent record here at Headingley Carnegie, however, is exemplary. They may not be able to beat Leeds at Old Trafford, but they have won their last three in a row here, including a 30-22 win in May of this year when Leeds had a 16-0 lead at one point.
That St Helens victory was the second time that these two sides had met this season, with Leeds picking up a 20-12 victory in the reverse fixture back in March. The Rhinos will be desperate to ensure that the away side does not win this fixture for a third time this season, otherwise their hopes of a third straight Super League championship will be over.
I have mentioned the storied rivalry between these two sides in recent years, and the Saints will be wanting to get one over Leeds in the playoffs purely from personal pride tonight. This is a repeat of the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 Grand Finals, all of which Leeds won. The closest St Helens came to triumphing in any of those matches was in 2009, when the winning margin for Leeds was eight points (18-10).
A reminder that one of these teams will effectively be on their summer holidays by the end of tonight's match. Leeds had a second chance when they lost to Warrington, but it is pure knockout rugby from now on, with no extra chances. One side will be eliminated tonight, the other will be just 80 minutes away from the Grand Final on October 5.
Adam Swift had a particularly good day a week ago to help the Saints progress. He scored a hat-trick in the 46-10 win over Hull KR and a repeat performance tonight would go some way to sealing a win for his side as this one should be fairly close. Certainly closer than last night's match.
St Helens will be looking to emulate Leeds tonight. The Rhinos finished fifth in the table in 2009 and 2011, as the Saints did this season, but went on to win the Grand Final.
These are the only two sides to have appeared in every playoff campaign since they were introduced, so you won't find two teams more experienced at this level.
KICKOFF: Kevin Sinfield kicks us off and St Helens will have the first possession of the match. What a huge 80 minutes awaits both sides.
Jones-Buchanan makes a bright early break to take his side into the Saint's half before a high kick is hoisted into the air. It is well collected, though, and the Saints will launch another attack.
Leeds have an early penalty as Hall sends a kick past Makinson, who holds the Leeds man back to prevent him picking it up the other side. Big chance for the hosts here.
Sinfield chips the ball towards the wing and Swift collects it but is forced into his own goal area by Jones-Buchanan. The Saints will have a goal line dropout now, which will give Leeds another chance to launch an attack.
Peacock bursts through a tackle and squeezes away a fine offload, but it just isn't held which gifts the ball back to the Saints.
It is a slower start than we had yesterday in terms of points, but this game is by no means being played at a leisurely pace. Both sides are putting everything into these early stages, but the defences are holding firm so far.
Poor from Moon as he tries to offload the ball when a pass really isn't on. St Helens drop onto the ball and they have it back on the halfway line now. No mistakes in either defence yet, but there have been a couple in attack.
That is silly play from Meli, who gives away a penalty with Leeds pinned back on their own tryline. The kick allows them to make good progress down the field and, instead of starting the move from deep inside their own half, they will now start from the halfway line.
Great break from Joel Moon and he draws the full-back before passing it to a teammate, but the Saints' defence scrambles back brilliantly and somehow keep Leeds out. Good break from the hosts, but that was very good defence in the end from the visitors.
Superb from Sinfield, who makes a vital tackle on Swift as he threatened to break clear. He dragged him into touch for good measure too, so that was pretty much the perfect tackle from the Leeds skipper.
This is so solid from both defences so far. They aren't giving an inch and, while the score of 0-0 is as far away from yesterday's result as you can get, this is much better rugby being played so far today.
The kicking game from both sides is spot on at the moment. Jon Wilkin in particular is sending some perfectly-weighted kicks into the corner towards Hardaker, keeping them in play and allowing his teammates to put great pressure on the full-back.
Lomax almost makes a break but Kirke gets across to stop him very well. He doesn't hold him on the floor so Lomax plays on, but the referee pulls it back claiming that the tackle was complete. Bad decision from the ref there.
Leeds put heavy pressure on the Saints tryline and get a penalty within five yards of the line. They take it quickly, but the Saints' defence is stubborn and will not let them past. In the end, Watkins is forced to poke a kick through that goes out of bounds.
Superb run from Hardaker as he swerves between three or four tackles to make it up to the halfway line before finally being stopped. They eventually work their way up towards the tryline again, but Peacock knocks it on.
Meli fails to collect a pretty poor pass from Lomax which gifts the ball back to Leeds in a good position. The Saints are beginning to make a few mistakes now and the Rhinos are on top at the moment.
Another big chance missed for Leeds as Moon knocks the ball on when in a very promising position. It is yet another visit to the Saints' 20 without picking up any points for the hosts.
Makinson makes a fine break upfield before being stopped inside the Leeds half. The visitors get quick ball and Manu makes a second break through the line and only has the full-back to beat, but Hardaker makes the tackle and Leeds eventually win the ball back when the Saints go for a kick.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan doesn't look like he'll be able to continue here. He has just been helped off the field with a leg injury, which is a blow for Leeds just as the tide seems to be turning against them.
A superb break from Ablett sees Leeds advance to within 20 metres of the St Helens line, and he manages to keep it alive by giving it to Burrow, who also does very well to avoid a tackle and keep the move flowing. Eventually the Saints do make the tackle and Leeds are forced to kick, which brings about a goal line dropout.
TRY! Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
There is the first try of the day, and what a big score it could be with a low-scoring game on our hands. Leeds come straight back from the goal line dropout and work it out to the right where Watkins is waiting. He throws a dummy to Meli, who just can't stop him powering over the line. It goes to the video ref, who deems that Watkins has fingertip control when touching that ball down.
Sinfield is the best in the business when it comes to goal-kicking, but he can't slot this one over from the wing as he drags it just wide. Those two points could yet prove vital in this match.
Fine interception from Kirke, but the Saints telegraphed it. Kirke was at full stretch to reach the ball and can't make any ground having collected it, but his good anticipation does give Leeds the ball back.
Makinson makes a great catch from a high kick into his own corner and immediately looks to break away. He has the crowd out of their seats for a while, but his attempted offload doesn't come off and Leeds get it back in a good position.
NO TRY! Another decision for the video ref to make, but this time it doesn't go Leeds' way. McGuire looks to get over the line from close range and claims to have got the ball down on the line. The videos shows that the ball has indeed gone over the line, but McGuire lost possession and only put downward pressure on it with his forearm, so the video ref is right to disallow the try.
McGuire is involved again as he makes a simple interception before being stopped by Manu. It was another gift for the hosts, and St Helens will need to cut these mistakes out if they are to come back into this match.
HALF TIME: Leeds Rhinos 4-0 St Helens
Well, that is perhaps as big a contrast from yesterday's first half as you could possibly hope to see. We have had 56 fewer points in this first half than yesterday's, but that is testament to the overall quality of rugby in this match, which has been superb.
As you can see by the scoreline, it is very close and low-scoring encounter. This is likely to be decided by the odd score, which means that it is vital that both sides score whenever they get the chance. Sinfield's missed conversion from Watkins' try, therefore, could prove to be telling.
Today's match has been a showcase of defensive strength from both teams and, although Huddersfield played some scintillating attacking rugby yesterday, Warrington will know what they are in for a very tough match against whoever gets through from this match. They face a very interesting decision at the club call.
Leeds deserve their lead at the break it must be said. There hasn't been much separating the sides, but Leeds have enjoyed more territory and more time in possession. It is testament to the Saints defence that Leeds only have four points on the board as it could have been worse for them.
The Rhinos will be happy with a similar performance in that second half. With so many tackles being made by the Saints they are bound to get tired in the second period, and that will open up more spaces for the hosts if they can keep up the pressure. They will have wanted to lead by more than four points after that first half, but they will also feel that they are in control of this match at the moment.
St Helens, meanwhile, will be relieved that it is only 4-0. They haven't been completely dominated by Leeds, but the possession and territory difference between the two sides hints at a score gap that should be bigger than that one try. They are still very much in this match and, if they can pose more of an attacking threat in the second half, they could well go on to win this one. Simply put, they have 40 minutes to save their season.
This match is so finely poised at the moment which should make for an exciting second half. There should be more chances as both sides begin to tire, but neither side will leave anything out on the pitch tonight. They know the consequences of losing this match.
Leeds have had the ball over the Saints' tryline once more in this match, but McGuire's effort was correctly disallowed by the video ref after it was deemed that he lost control of the ball before grounding it. It was very close, but the officials got the decision right.
KICKOFF: St Helens get us back underway in this second half. A huge 40 minutes awaits both sides - who will reach the elimination semi-finals and who will see their season end tonight?
Good start top the half from Leeds as a fine offload gives the ball to Sinfield, who eventually finds a teammate despite a poor initial pass. Leeds make it into the Saints' 20 before Sinfield sends a kick through that the visitors collect.
Turner almost makes a telling mistake as he drops a high kick into his own in-goal area. He is lucky to see it bounce onto the dead ball line before being touched down, so it will only be a goal line dropout.
TRY! Joel Moon (Leeds Rhinos)
Lovely play from McGuire as he just delays his kick until the last possible second, sending it bouncing through into space deep inside the Saints' 20. It bounces up perfectly for Moon, who collects it and strolls over the line. That could be a vital try in this match.
Sinfield makes no mistake with his kick this time, and the lead is now 10 points for the Rhinos. Every point could be vital in this game, so it was important that he slotted the extras there.
Big mistake from the Rhinos as they give away possession deep inside their own half. St Helens have a great chance to hit back immediately, but the Leeds defence holds strong and the eventual kick is picked off by Jones-Bishop.
It is another poor mistake from the Rhinos in an area where they really can't afford to make them. It is Peacock who knocks it on this time, which is a rare error from him, and the Saints eventually get a penalty within five yards.
TRY! Willie Manu (St Helens)
No mistake from the visitors this time. A nice move from the penalty sees Manu pick the ball up with a good, straight line and power over the tryline. That is a priceless try for the Saints, who are right back in this match now.
Turner knocks the kick over and it is now 10-6. That was an important kick as it moves St Helens within one score of taking the lead in this match.
Mistake from Wilkin as he sends a kick out on the full under pressure from Watkins. Leeds get the ball back but St Helens steal it back immediately through Hohaia before Lomax makes a good break. The momentum is starting to turn here at Headingley!
The Saints' kick bounces back off a Leeds man and back to them, so the tackle count resets. They eventually work it to Manu, who loses the ball in a tackle and Leeds think they they have it back until the referee blows for offside. Big chance for the visitors deep inside the Leeds half here.
Oh that is a massive missed chance for the visitors! Leeds make the interception inside their own 20 to win the ball back and Sinfield sends an early kick upfield. That could prove to be a vital interception.
Oh my word, what a mistake from St Helens. A superb kick from Burrows forces the visitors underneath their own posts and Lomax advances before passing the ball to Swift, who knocks on. Big chance for Leeds here.
Another big mistake, this time from Leeds! Having applied such pressure and won the ball back in a great position, Watkins takes his eye off the ball and knocks on. St Helens have the ball back again now.
There are plenty of errors creeping into this match now, and it may be a case of whoever makes the fewer mistakes goes on to win this one. This match is hanging precariously in the balance.
Leeds' defence high up the field has been superb today. The Saints have never been given an easy route out of their own 20, with the Rhinos backing up every kick and every new phase with impenetrable team defence.
Sinfield hoofs an up-and-under into the St Helens 20, but Swift makes a fine take on the run. That was not an easy catch from the youngster, but he did very well.
Leeds want a scrum for a knock on, but the referee allows play to continue and it is a foot race between two players. Hardaker deals with the bounce well, but St Helens have made a lot of ground there from a controversial decision.
Schoolboy error from Burrow as he runs behind his own man to give St Helens a penalty in a good position. The eventual grubber kick through is smashed out of play by Hardaker and Leeds will have a goal line dropout now.
That is a big mistake from Turner! He drives to within a couple of metres of the Leeds line but then knocks it on when trying to feed to back through his legs. Simple mistake, but it wastes another big chance for his side.
Poor kick from Wilkin as his little shipped kick is swept up by Peacock, who wins possession back for his side just inside their own half.
There are less than 10 minutes left in this match now, and it could still go either way. Just one score separates the two sides, and you get the feeling that the next try - if there is another try - will be the deciding score here. What a tense finish we have ahead of us.
TRY! Willie Manu (St Helens)
What a huge try that is for the visitors. Watkins is penalised for a high tackle that allows St Helens to advance up the pitch with a kick. From the resulting play, Wilkin delays his pass to allow Manu to storm into the line, through a tackle and over the tryline to drew the scores level. This is a huge kick for Turner...
MISSED! Oh Turner has dragged his effort wide! That was a kickable conversion for the St Helens man so he will be very disappointed. We are all level and could be heading to the golden point!
Massive error! That could possibly be the difference in this match. Sinfield - of all people - sends his kick out on the full. The Saints choose not to go for goal with the penalty, instead going for a try. Can they get it?
Huge let off for Leeds and Sinfield there. St Helens' initial drive is denied by the Rhinos and they work it back for the one-point drop-goal, but Wilkin scuffs his effort under heavy pressure.
Lomax makes a fine take under another high ball inside his own 20. This one is so tense right now as we enter the last five minutes. There has never been a golden point in the Super League playoffs before, but it is looking increasingly likely here.
DROP GOAL! What drama here! Leeds move to within kicking range and the initial pass to Sinfield means that the usual kicker can't go for it. He shifts it on to McGuire, who is in more space, and he slots a drop goal over like it is merely a training session. Leeds lead by just one point, what a finish to this match.
Sinfield kicks the ball out and St Helens will have a scrum inside their own 20 now. They have just under two minutes to make their way up the field and into drop goal range.
Oh Swift almost finds space down the left but he is pegged back and knocks it on in a desperate effort to kick the ball. Leeds have it back, and this one should be over now.
FULL TIME: Leeds Rhinos 11-10 St Helens
The crowd count down to the full time whistle and greet the hooter with huge cheers having spent most of the match silently biting their nails. Leeds have won the match 11-10, but both sides played their part in a simply superb game of rugby league. If yesterday's match made a bit of a mockery of the playoffs, tonight's match was a glorious advert for them. Magnificent.
It was such a tense match throughout that it was always only going to be decided by a single score, and the man who got that score was Danny McGuire. Everyone was expecting Sinfield to get the winning drop goal, but McGuire was next in line when the Leeds skipper was closed down quickly and he slotted it over very coolly indeed.
It is unfortunate that one team has to lose games like this, but St Helens can hold their heads up high tonight. Their defence was very impressive throughout, especially in the first half when they really should have been more than 4-0 down at the break. Their season is over now, but if they were to go out then they would have liked to go out on the back of a display like that.
As for Leeds, they will go through to the qualifying semi-finals to face either Warrington or Wigan. Warrington will be able to choose who they play out of Huddersfield or Leeds, and what a tough decision that will be. Huddersfield scored more points than any other team has managed in playoff history yesterday but, while Leeds scored just 11 tonight, they showed some superb rugby. It will be very interesting who Warrington will choose on Sunday.
Right, that is all we have time for tonight! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what was a magnificent night of rugby and a great advert for the Super League. Leeds edge their way into the semi-finals courtesy of a late drop goal that sealed an 11-10 win, but it was a match of high quality from both sides. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to keep and eye on the site over the coming week for who Warrington choose in the club call and coverage of next week's semis. Until then, though, it is goodbye!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
