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1999 SLGF
2001 WCC
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COACH : Daniel Anderson (2005-06-26 : 2008-12-31 ) |
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MATCH REPORT |
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MATCH REPORT : Saints opened up a six-point lead at the top of the engage Super League with just six games remaining after an 18-14 victory over Leeds in a sensational match. Both sides demonstrated why they are the teams that everyone are trailing in 2006 as they put on one of the games of the season. Trailing the Rhinos 14-12 at half-time, Saints kept the home side scoreless in the second half and survived the sending-off of Jamie Lyon to claim a magnificent win, thanks to a brace of tries from Lee Gilmour and one from Maurie Fa’asavalu. Despite the wet conditions the capacity crowd were treated to a display of fast-flowing, positive rugby league from both teams. However the competition’s two best defences were also on show and they helped to keep the game scoreless for the opening 15 minutes. Man of Steel contender Gareth Ellis scored the game’s opening try after Danny McGuire had put the Great Britain international through a gap. Saints responded immediately through Fa’asavalu, who bulldozed his way over from dummy-half after Paul Wellens had gone close. Their defence continued to be aggressive with Ade Gardner and Vinnie Anderson combining to force Leeds centre Keith Senior into touch, although Jason Cayless may have to face the disciplinary committee after being placed on report for a high tackle on Rob Burrow. Gilmour was held up over the line, but it was Leeds who scored moments later. As Saints spread the ball wide, Vinnie Anderson couldn’t hold Leon Pryce’s pass and the ball went straight to Senior who raced 90 metres to score. Any lingering doubts about the teams’ commitment ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup semi-finals were completely dispelled when Chev Walker and Willie Talau’s disagreement resulted in the centres spending ten minutes to the sin-bin. Although Walker appeared to be the protagonist Leeds were awarded the penalty and Sinfield extended the home side’s lead to eight points. On the stroke of half-time Saints pulled themselves right back into it when Gilmour rampaged over in the gap vacated by the sin-binned pair. Half-time brought a further boost to the visitors’ prospects as a shin injury meant that Leeds stand-off Danny McGuire failed to re-appear. However Sinfield’s inventive kicking was causing problems and Jon Wilkin had to be sharp to hack the ball away with three attackers closing in. As the rain continued handling mistakes became more common as both teams continued to keep the ball alive, but there was no let-up in the intensity. It was Saints who broke the second-half deadlock on 66 minutes when the inspirational Keiron Cunningham put Gilmour away for his second try to give his side the lead for the first time. They had less than two minutes to reflect on their advantage as Lyon was red-carded for a late tackle on Rob Burrow, with both coaches agreeing that he has been unlucky to receive such a severe punishment. Desperate defence was required with Wellens and James Graham making critical tackles on winger Ashley Gibson. The Leeds youngster did find a way through with five minutes to go but his try was disallowed for a forward pass as Saints hung on for a memorable victory. Following Hull’s afternoon defeat at Harlequins, it is one that puts Saints in the driving seat for top spot. |
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