LEEDS RHINOS 24, ST HELENS 16

SKIPPER JOY - Kevin Sinfield lifts the trophy

LEEDS skipper Kevin Sinfield helped magnificent Leeds gatecrash another Saints’ Grand Final party and said: This is one of our truly great results.

The England star explained: “Two weeks our lads had their heads on the floor — we were completely shot after losing our play-off eliminator 38-10 at St Helens.

“So to win this one, with everyone writing us off, was one of our truly great results.”

No kidding. Two simple but devastating second half tries from Danny McGuire, dynamic scores for man of the match Lee Smith and comeback kid Ryan Hall were backed up by Sinfield's own smashing kicking game — not to mention four key conversions from the touchline.

Underdogs

It was stirring stuff. For just like last year, when Leeds were also the underdogs, they gave Saints a bloody nose with their best performance since the World Club Challenge triumph over Melbourne Storm the previous February.

Tony Smith master-minded victory 12 months ago — last night it was New Zealander Brian McClennan — and how.

TRY THIS - Lee Smith touches down for Leeds

His boys broke tackles, won rucks and kicked off the front foot.

They kept St Helens playmakers Sean Long and Leon Pryce on the back foot by constantly confronting them with three men to sew the seeds of a thrilling roller-coaster ride in the rain.

So Daniel Anderson was denied his 10th major trophy in just four season at the St Helens helm and heads home to Australia knowing full well his team, unbeaten in 23 games before yesterday, were undone by the better team.

His achievements have been fantastic. This season his team won the Challenge Cup and finished top of Super League in the regular season, so few expected Saints to take such a pounding in this one.

Surrender

Television viewers’ last memory of Anderson will be his half-time team talk. Blimey, did he go off on one in trying to rally the troops who were 12-6 down.

Minutes from the end, he sought McClennan's hand to declare officially the game was over because there was no way Leeds were going to surrender as the final hooter beckoned.

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Among the great stories of a great night are the ones concerning Smith and Hall.

What a week for Smith. Placed on report for allegedly kicking Wigan’s Phil Bailey last weekend, he escaped a ban and lit up a very wet Old Trafford instead.

With full-back Brent Webb missing for the Rhinos with a recurrence of a back injury, Smith had to switch from the wing.

He had scored here in the 2007 final and came good again when he cancelled out the opening from Saints Man of Steel James Graham.

Desperate

In a flash in the 23rd minute, Leeds found their first true opening.

Smith took possession from Rob Burrows and James Jones-Buchanan, evaded the last desperate tackle to go over. Sinfield’s kick levelled the scores.

And Sinfield’s boot quickly came good to give the Rhinos a toehold on the game, especially as Saints' playmakers Sean Long and Leon Pryce struggled to find some magic.

In the 38th minute, the Rhinos pushed hard in the left corner but switched the ball cross-field in an instant.

Ali Lauitiiti and Long combined before Sinfield launched a long pass out wide. Under severe pressure from Francis Meli, Keith Senior just managed to palm the ball on.

Hall, out since July with a broken foot, seized his chance and kicked on.

Rollicking

In a breathtaking dash for the line he outpaced Talau to give the Rhinos a 12-6 half-time lead.

McClennan said: “I nearly fell out of my chair when he scored because I don’t think I’ve seen Ryan kick a ball, even in training. He scored and it was unbelievable — and he then came a great tackle on James Roby in the fourth quarter that was an outstanding effort.”

Saints response to Anderson's right royal rollicking was to pump up the energy levels and within two minutes of the restart Matt Gidley restored a few smiles - but maybe not from Anderson - with a quickfire try.

After their two most successful sets of six, St Helens looked like they meant business.

And, when Long hoisted a teasing up and under, Ade Gardner palmed the ball onto centre Gidley who evaded three opponents to touch down.

Subdued

Long’s boot was immaculate and it was game on.

But Leeds fired back just six minutes later through Danny McGuire.

Like half-back colleague Rob Burrow, the little stand-off had been relatively subdued.

But now Burrow made the running only to be pulled down by Nick Fozzard. Sinfield picked the ball up under the shadow of the posts and a delighful grubber kick gave McGuire one of the easiest scores he’ll ever get.

Gardner claimed his 31st try of the season when he went over in the right corner after feeding off Keiron Cunningham and Gidley.

Long missed the kick, leaving the Rhinos just two points ahead.

But Leeds soon re-established their lead. McGuire was it again almost before Saints could blink. Again it was Sinfield, with a teasing kick, who forced Meli into another error,

He should have gobbled the ball up but he it bounced off him, allowing McGuire to set off on a jinking run past two defenders and into the scoring zone.

Hero

Sinfield was accurate with the kick to give Leeds an eight-point advantage.

It was a fabulous performance from the Rhinos’ skipper, bossing the game in many of its key moments.

Burrow, too, emerged a true hero.

He bravely dived at Ryan Bailey’s flying feet to deny Saints after Jones-Buchanan had been caught offside.

A disappointed Anderson said: "We didn't play anywhere near our standard. I felt like we were getting our teeth into the game but it didn't happen for us.

"But this isn't a dampner on my time here. I will have a drink or two with a couple of the boys tonight and a lot of the people I have met and enjoyed my time with in St Helens."

Huge

Added a delighted McClennan: "After what happened at Saints two weeks ago I knew we had to roll sleeves up and we did. It was a huge challenge and we all banded together.

"But it can only be done if you have mental toughness in the first place and these players have.

"After watching last year's final on TV, I phoned Kevin (Sinfield) to introduce myself and knew after the call we had struck a cord and that this was going to last.

"It's about a good journey so far. We enjoying each other's company and improving each week. And I am so proud to have beaten such a class side."

SCORERS — St Helens: tries Graham, Gidley, Gardner; goals Long 2. Leeds: tries Smith, Hall, McGuire 2; goals Sinfield 4.