Owen Dagnall’s early attempts turned out enough to send St. Helens up to the unlikely heights of the third in Betfred the Super League table with an overwhelming 6-0 win over Leeds at County Headingley.
After an early season that has been sprinkled with criminal and questions about the future of head coach Paul Wellens, they are gone well when it matters, and Dagnall’s efforts sealed a fifth equal victory since their defeat at Hull kr in late May.
It was a special Gutsy victory for holy considering the first half losses for both Daryl Clark and Jake Burns with head injuries, activated 18. Men Jon Bennison and demands a fantastic effort from Matty Lees, who played the whole game in the holy front row.
For Rhinos, it was an overly familiar story when they lost for the seventh just time at home to Saints in Super League, but for a rejected effort from James McDonnell, they rarely threatening the last third.
Saints had already lost Clark, who came worst in a confrontation with Mikolaj Oledzki, as Dagnall grabbed a delicious delayed pass from Tristan Sailor to turn through two weak Leeds tackles in the 15th minute.
Lomax missed the conversion, but added two 10 minutes later after Jake Connor was punished for catching Harry Robertson High and they had to prove the last points on a shiny hot evening at Headingley.
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Paul Wellens felt St Helens’ Shutout against Leeds Rhinos was the best defensive screen he has seen in the 20 years in the club
It was not the best of Nights for Connor in an otherwise star campaign and two consecutive loose passes aimed at Alfie Edgell, but sailing in touch, Leeds’ ability to get on the scoreboard before the half -time shooter jumped.
In a rare opening in the 2nd half, McDonnell crossed to the right only to try to be excluded for a push by Harry Newman in the construction.
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Brad Arthur feels Leeds Rhinos needs to look at mistakes that cost them against St. Helens
Otherwise, Leeds simply failed to crack a decisive saints back guards, with Lees and young Harry Robertson excellent.
Leeds was furious as Judge Jack Smith did not take any steps to a seemingly shoulder charge of Lees on Edgell, and fruits flossed again just past the timing of Agnatius Paasi to go high on Edgell.
Wigan Warriors 30-10 Huddersfield Giants
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Highlights of the Super League clash between Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants
Christian Wade’s first Super League point and a fantastic attempt ended by Jake Wardle Saw Wigan Rally from a 10-0 half-time deficit to beat Huddersfield 30-10.
One evening, when Warriors honored Sir Billy Boston after the knight’s cabinet awarded to the king’s birthday hawks, Huddersfield seemed determined to spoil the party when the first half tries from Tui Lolohea and Jacob Gagai, who put them in control, with Wigan who made expensive mistakes.
But it all changed in the second half when Union converted Wade – who made his long -awaited debut after the former England edge and NFL, who ran back, signed in April – ran in his first Wigan test before a remarkable phase of the game ended with Harry Smith’s Kick Finding Wardle scoring in the corner.
Wardle then added a second before Tyler Dupree and Junior Nsemba wrapped in what felt like an important victory for second -placed Wigan who entered their first home game in seven, after losing two of their previous three. Adam Keighran converted all five Wigan attempts.
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Billy Boston receives a wonderful welcome at Wigan to celebrate the Rugby League’s first knight
The hosts were in a festive atmosphere when Boston, who scored 478 attempts in 488 performances for the club, was feted in a pre-match ceremony, but Huddersfield quickly ruined the mood as Lolohea jumped high to beat Jai Field to Matt Frwley’s hanging kicks just six minutes inside.
The 34-year-old Wade, who was pressed into action after injuries to Liam Marshall and Abbas Miski, showed some impressive footwork as they got a chance to run, but was also guilty of a fluffy catch that gave visitors the field position needed for Gagai to run in the second attempt in the 19th minute.
After struggling to get started, Wigan then wasted what looked like a specific attempt in the 28th minute. Field finally broke through the Huddersfield line with an excellent dummy, but his passport to Liam Farrell was forward.
Frustration increased further before half -time when Smith’s attempt was excluded with Patrick Mago, who may have been severely regarded as hindered George King.
The hosts finally got a break 10 minutes into the second half when George Flanagan fell a high kick from Smith, and Wigan moved it back from the crumade of Wade to redeem his previous mistake with a debut attempt.
It suddenly felt like another game, and just a few minutes later Wigan finished approx. 11 passes before Smith’s crossfieldkick found Wardle to dive over in the corner.
Wardle got his second at night in the 65th minute, but this was a much simpler affair as he took a short pass from Field to toast over the line, with further attempts from Dupree and Nsemba, which made the score line seem much more comfortable than it may have been.
Super League round 18 results and fixtures (all live on Sky Sports)
Thursday, July 10
Friday, July 11
- Leeds Rhinos 0-6 st Helens
- Wigan Warriors 30-10 Huddersfield Giants
Saturday, July 12
- 15:00: Leigh Leopards vs Hull kr
- 18:00: Catalan’s Dragons vs Warrington Wolves
Sunday July 13
- 15:00: Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers
Watch each Super League game this season live on Sky Sports – including two matches in each round live exclusively with the remaining four games each week shown on Sky Sports+ via the red button.