Saints are into the last eight of the Betfred Challenge Cup, following a 22-14 victory over Leeds Rhinos!
First Half
The opening quarter of the game was a deadlock. Both teams had plenty of possession but neither defence was really tested early on. It was Leeds who took the lead 19 minutes in though, a penalty on Saints’ line and the visitors opted for two points which Jake Connor converted to make it 0-2.
It took 22 minutes for Saints’ first good opening. A penalty pushed Saints further into the Leeds half, the hosts moved the ball right but Tristan Sailor’s kick early in the set was too strong and gifted Leeds a seven-tackle set.
Saints took the lead soon after though. Jonny Lomax kicked high into Saints’ right hand edge, Harry Robertson patted it back to Joe Batchelor and he found Kyle Feldt who finished well in the corner. Mark Percival converted from the touchline, 6-2 Saints led.
🎯 Feldt in the corner!
The Aussie veteran winger gets the first try of the day at the Totally Wicked stadium… 🏉@TheChallengeCup | #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/nEir75ppCG
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) March 14, 2025
From the restart Saints lost Batchelor to a HIA after a collision. He never returned to the game, so Saints were down an interchange for the remainder of the evening.
Saints had a good chance to extend the lead just before the break as they moved forward. Lomax’s short kick on the last tackle was claimed by the Rhinos though, as Saints led 6-2 at the break.
⏸️ The Saints have a tight lead at the break in the Fourth Round of @TheChallengeCup
Live Match Centre
➡ https://t.co/ZJp47pGrqE#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/Y0ZT7QBHVv— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 14, 2025
Second Half
Saints extended the lead eight minutes into the second half. Robertson broke down the right wing after escaping a tackle, he found Sailor in support and he raced away to increase Saints’ lead. Percival converted, 12-2 Saints.
Harry Robertson 🤝 Tristan Sailor
A second score for @Saints1890, set up brilliantly by the young full-back, Robertson…@TheChallengeCup | #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/0TDrYvTtNj
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) March 14, 2025
Quickly after, Saints had a third try. George Delaney made the initial break downfield before being tackled. Saints had a quick play the ball and went right, Lomax finding Matt Whitley who scored from close range. This time Percival couldn’t convert, 16-2 Saints were ahead.
BACK TO BACK.
Matt Whitley finds another Saints score shortly after Tristan Sailor finds the whitewash… 🏉@TheChallengeCup | #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/dq9BcSTKGc
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) March 14, 2025
A third try in quick succession arrived soon after. Sailor scanned the line and put in an early kick which Robertson claimed and spun over from close range to increase the hosts’ lead. Percival added the extras, 22-2.
What a take, what a try! 🤩
Tristan Sailor returns the favour for Harry Robertson, who keeps hold of the ball and finishes brilliantly…@Saints1890 | #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/CuzA7iQtLg
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) March 14, 2025
Leeds responded this time around. After forcing an error from the hosts it gifted the Rhinos a repeat set on our line. Towards the end of the set, Jake Connor put in a crossfield kick which Ash Handley claimed and was able to get the ball down despite some scrambling defence from the Saints. Connor converted, 22-8 Leeds trailed.
Despite the game being played predominantly in the midfield, Jack Welsby was able to kick a 40/20 with just under ten minutes left on the clock. Saints were unable to add to the scoreline though, with Daryl Clark held up a metre short of the line on the last tackle.
Leeds grabbed a second try with less than four minutes to go. The visitors went down their right edge and Harry Newman threw a show and go, he broke through a gap and was able to ground the ball despite Saints’ best efforts to stop him. Connor converted, 22-14 Leeds trailed.
Those were the final points of the evening, as Saints booked their place in the last eight of the Betfred Challenge Cup after a 22-14 victory over Leeds Rhinos at the Totally Wicked Stadium!
🙌 The Saints beat the Rhinos to go into the Challenge Cup Quarter Finals!#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/BBjzF9dRMt
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 14, 2025
You can download or print the official teamsheet by
clicking here
Match Summary
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Joe Batchelor, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: Matt Whitley, Jake Wingfield, Agnatius Passi, George Delaney.
18th Man: James Bell.
Tries: Kyle Feldt (26), Tristan Sailor (48), Matt Whitley (53), Harry Robertson (56)
Conversions: Mark Percival (3 from 4)
Leeds Rhinos Team: Lachlan Miller, Riley Lumb, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Cooper Jenkins, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Keenan Palasia.
Interchanges: Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Jack Sinfield, Tom Nicholson-Watton.
18th Man: Jarrod O’Connor.
Tries: Ash Handley (63), Harry Newman (76)
Conversions: Jake Connor (2 from 2)
Penalties: Jake Connor (1 from 1)
HT: 6-2
FT: 22-14
Attendance: 7,531
Halftime Draw: No: 01885
