Match Report: Leeds Rhinos Women 12 St Helens Women 6

It was a windy afternoon up at Weetwood, the conditions would be a big part of Saints' game plan, using the back wind to relentlessly shoot for 40/20's in the first half.

It was a shakey start from ST Helens, spilling a Courtney Hill short kick off, Leeds on the ball earlier than expected, Leeds unable to capitalise early on.

Leeds would get their next big chance minutes later, Leeds within touching distance of the Saints line when Rhiannion Marshall through a cut out pass looking for Sophie Robinson, the strong breeze blowing the ball just behind the tenacious centre but Leeds growing in confidence.

Saints would knock on from the resulting set just 15 metres from their own line, Leeds set up and punished the visitors for their handling error, Amy Johnson with a huge drive to put Lois Forsell over on the next tackle, a trademark dummy half dive over from the Leeds number 9, Courntey Hill kicking the goal.

St Helens had numerous attempts at the 40/20, when it finally came off it payed out, Saints attacking the line and kicking into an open wing for Leah Burke to drop on the bobbling ball, Gaskin nailing the conversion from the side-line.

the weather condition worsened and would force an exchange of handling errors for the last 5 minutes. 

Leeds would be denied in the last minute of the second half, Madison Laverick on the receiving end of a pass deemed forward, the try chalked off and at the end of the first half, the sides going into the half all square at 6-6.

Leeds would build into the second half again, turning up the pressure on the visitors line, Forsell's kick on half-way charged down and Leeds began their onslaught once more. 

Leeds creeping closer and closer to the Saints line, Forsell's pass this time swatted down and Leeds with 6 more tackles to their name. The Saints line would eventually bow to the when Rhiannion Marshall threw herself at the line, the referee denying Leeds a second time after he saw a knock on. 

Saints had come out swinging in this second half, Jodie Cunningham on her first game back from ACL surgery looking in particular very dangerous, held up just shy of the line for a 3rd time by a stubborn Leeds defence. 

Three repeat sets on St Helens line would eventually take their toll in the 65th minute. Saints weary from defending having the ball stripped by Rhiannion Marshall who then opened a gap for Chloe Kerrigan to squeeze into the corner, Hill unable to convert.

Courtney Hill would use the conditions to her advantage, kicking into the strong wind at her back and sending the kick deep, Sophie Robinson and Madison Laverick shutting down the Saints fullback as quick as she could touch the ball and forcing the knock on. 

Back to back penalties would bring Leeds a 6 point lead with 10 minutes to play, Saints holding down and Courtney Hill shooting for the sticks, Leeds now in a slightly more comfortable position. 

The last 5 minutes would be a tense affair, Cunningham once more getting wide and forcing the Leeds left edge into action, Nuttal and Kerrigan equal to the task once more. 

St Helens spilled their best chance of winning the game, sliding the ball right, they had the numbers were unable to keep hold of the ball, the Rhinos surviving and claiming a crucial 12-6 win over St Helens.