Saints top as Leeds held by Giants
St Helens sit alone at the top of the Super League table after Leeds were held to a thrilling draw by last season’s league leaders Huddersfield.
Both sides went in to round four with three wins from three, but the Rhinos lost their 100% record in a 12-12 draw at the John Smith’s Stadium, Kevin Sinfield hitting the post with a drop goal late on.
It was a different story for Saints, who racked up a total of 38 points for the third time in four games, defeating Hull KR 38-18 at Langtree Park
They were made to work though by Craig Sandercock’s men, who fought back from 12-0 down to go in level after the break, and they also had two scores chalked off in the first half.
The hosts got off to a blistering start, registering excellent scores through Adam Swift and Jonny Lomax down the left hand side, and but for a couple of dropped balls, they could have been home and hosed inside the opening half hour.
But Hull KR dug in, and dragged themselves level thanks to Kevin Larroyer and Greg Eden.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first, and this time, Saints made it tell.
Alex Walmsley got the ball rolling, powering over from close range, before Adam Swift was found on the overlap via Jon Wilkin and Gary Wheeler to stretch the score out to 22-12.
Back-to-back tries from Sia Soliola and Tommy Makinson made the game safe, and Wilkin marked a fine performance with a well taken try, superbly taking a high pass above his head to touch down, before Josh Hodgson scored a late consolation for the visitors, who remain without a win this season.
In the televised game, Kallum Watkins‘ try eight minutes from time earned Leeds a point at Huddersfield.
The Rhinos had led from the seventh minute, when Kevin Sinfield converted Stevie Ward‘s try, with Jodie Broughton scoring in reply for Huddersfield, who remained 6-4 down due to some missed goalkicks by Danny Brough.
Brough finally landed one on 54 minutes to level the scores, but Leeds edged out to 12-8 on 64 minutes through Sinfield.
Joe Wardle‘s converted try on 70 minutes gave the Giants the lead for the first time, before Watkins levelled things up.
That left eight minutes for a deciding drop goal, Sinfield coming closest, hitting the post with his effort, while at the other end, a Brough attempt fell just wide of the post.
Bradford remain on -2 points despite taking an early lead in their game at Hull.
Matt Diskin had the Bulls fans on their feet inside two minutes, but they ultimately fell to a 44-16 loss.
After two gutsy displays away from home in recent weeks, Hull returned home and picked up their second win of the season, running in eight tries.
Gareth Ellis, Joe Westerman, Jamie Shaul, Richard Whiting, Aaron Heremaia and Danny Houghton had the points all but in the bag by half time, leading 32-10, and Shaul added a second early in the second half.
Jordan Rankin grabbed their final score shortly before the hour, although the Bulls had the last say through Adam Henry late on.