Peter Smith's Leeds Rhinos player as ratings as two score 9/10 in Magic Weekend win v St Helens

It was a rare victory at Magic Weekend and only their second defeat of Saints in 20 attempts. Rhinos deserved the two points, but made hard work of it for a time after racing into an early 10-0 lead and dominating the opening 40 minutes against out of sorts opposition.

Saints improved considerably in the second half, but Leeds invited them back into the game with a series of errors in their own territory. It was tense for 20 minutes, until a one-pointer edged Leeds two scores ahead - after Saints had a man sin-binned - and Rhinos’ third try late in the game sealed the deal.

It was harder work than it might have been after Leeds ran Saints ragged in the opening half an hour. They could have been well clear with some calmer finishing, but their defence was excellent throughout and - after losing from a winning position against Warrington Wolves and Hull KR - being able to see out a tough encounter against top-six contenders was a step forward.

Leeds led from the fourth minute through a beautifully-crafted try on the last tackle. Connor was again hugely influential; he kept the ball alive, it went via Ash Handley to Morgan Gannon who kicked ahead for Riley Lumb to run through and score. The winger might have had another soon afterwards, but Miller’s long pass went past him into touch.

The second try was as good as the first. Keenan Palasia and Jack Sinfield handled before the ball reached Miller. He shipped it on to Harry Newman and the centre gave his winger a run. Alfie Edgell - in his first start of the season - did really well before turning the ball inside to Miller who scored next to the posts, giving himself an easy conversion for 10-0.

Miller was also excellent and, now he’s cut the basic errors from his game, is increasingly difficult to defend against. More lovely hands almost produced a try for Edgell, but Saints’ managed to halt him just short; then Saints unsuccessfully challenged a knock-on call near their line and from the scrum Connor’s long pass found Lumb who got to the corner, but was banged into touch by Tristan Sailor.

Saints’ first attack came moments later after Newman conceded a penalty. It looked like producing a try, but Lumb and Miller combined to tackle Jon Bennison into touch. Miller missed a golden opportunity to make it 12-0 when he sent a penalty wide and Saints cut the gap seven minutes after the break through Matt Whitley. He ghosted through Rhinos’ defence after Gannon was penalised for interference. It could have been worse, but Handley and Miller chased back to keep Sailor out after he intercepted Connor’s pass.

Edgell went off for a head injury assessment at the end of the third quarter after being fouled by Lewis Murphy as both went for a high kick. Video referee Ben Thaler watched an endless series of replays before making what was a big call.

Sinfield booted Leeds’ drop goal following the penalty and they seemed to have scored in the next set through Lumb. It went up as a try, but Thaler spotted a foot brushing the whitewash. Four points then would have finished it and Leeds had a scare when Deon Cross touched down from George Whitby’s kick, but referee Jack Smith said no and Thaler agreed. With a couple of minutes left, Gannon capped a big game by forcing his way over from Connor’s pass and Miller’s conversion completed the scoring and a significant win for Leeds. The eight penalties were shared and Saints received two set restarts to Rhinos’ one.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Edgell, Newman, Handley, Lumb, Connor, Sinfield, Palasia, O’Connor, Oledzki, McDonnell, Gannon, Watkins. Subs Holroyd, Lisone, Bentley, Jenkins.

St Helens: Sailor, Bennison, Cross, Percival, Murphy, Welsby, Whitby, Paasi, Mbye, Lees, Sironen, Whitley, Knowles. Subs Lomax, Walmsley, Clark, Delaney.

Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan).