St Helens 40 Leeds Rhinos 6: Saints show Leeds no mercy as tough season finally catches up with Rhinos

Other than the dismal 26-6 loss at Hull KR in April, Rhinos have been competitive in every game, even when down to the bare bones.

That defeat in East Yorkshire was their widest losing margin, the next-worst being 14 points at home to Castleford Tigers last month. But, against a strong, motivated Saints side on their own TW Stadium turf, this year’s adversity finally caught up with Rhinos who were taken apart 40-6.

It was always going to be a tough night for Leeds, who didn’t have enough big men in the pack. An already bad situation wasn’t helped when James Donaldson was ruled out through illness and as a result, there was little go-forward and Saints made some easy metres.

Alex Walmsley charged through Leeds’ defence to set up two tries and scored another before, as an act of mercy to the visitors, being replaced just before the interval. He returned to cause more chaos in the second half.

What Rhinos – also without all their specialist half-backs – didn’t lack was effort, but they were totally out-gunned in the opening 40.

It could have been much worse, considering Saints led 22-0 after as many minutes. Saints ran in five first half tries to lead 28-6 at the break, but a try just before the interval gave Leeds a shot in the arm and the second period was much more even.

The opening exchanges illustrated what Rhinos were up against. Leeds handed the ball over 40 metres from their line at the end of the first set.

Saints forced a drop-out with their initial use of the ball and from that, Regan Grace went over at the corner.

Rhinos didn’t get into Saints 20 – and barely passed half-way – until four minutes from the interval.

They were aided by a mistake from Grace, who spilled Jack Broadbent’s kick in front of Saints’ posts, giving Leeds a full set close to the hosts’ line.