Super League XII - Grand Final match report - St Helens v Leeds Rhinos - 13/10/07

The rugby league 'War of the Roses' took place tonight at Old Trafford as St Helens took on Leeds Rhinos in the 2007 Grand Final.

Sean Long missed a penalty kick with 3 minutes gone on the clock for Saints as both teams started out tentatively. This seemed to settle some nerves and the players from both sides got on with the task in hand.

Both sides tackled hard and kept each other from scoring. They were both up for it and the adrenalin was pumping. Both sides looked evenly matched and it looked as though only a mistake or handling error would be the difference between the two sides.

On the 14 minute mark, Leeds were awarded a penalty for Saints being offside. Kevin Sinfield took the kick and managed to find the mark to get the 2 points.

The Rhinos kept pushing and Brent Webb went over the try line after 20 minutes to give Leeds a 6 point lead. Sinfield managed to convert the try to widen the gap to 8 points.

Saints fought back and on the 26 minute mark James Roby, the 2007 Man of Steel, went over for a try. Long converted the try to make the score a more respectable 8-6.

Leeds had to defend well for a while as St Helens threw everything at them but the score remained the same at the half time hooter. It set up a second half showdown which saw both teams throw everything they had at each other to gain the advantage.

The Rhinos battled hard in the second half and it paid off as a mistake from Saints gave them possession on their own half. Ali Lauitiiti ran in for a try on the 51 minute mark. Sinfield failed to convert it and the score was 12-6.

Less than a minute later and Scott Donald ran 60 metres to score again for Leeds. It was a superb try and nobody could catch him. Sinfield converted the try to make it 18-6. Rob Burrow added a drop goal after 54 minutes to give an extra cushion to the scoreline at 19-6.

Saints seemed dejected at this point but there was still nearly 30 minutes to go, and nothing is set in stone when it comes to these two teams.

Long managed to kick a 40-20 to gain possession for Saints and they had Leeds on the back foot. The Rhinos defence held out well and they stopped Keiron Cunningham from scoring as they held him up over the line.

Leeds got the ball back, but a crunching tackle from Cunningham saw Leeds knock on and Saints got the ball in their own half. Again the Rhinos defence held out and caused St Helens to give the ball away needlessly.

Lee Smith added extra points for Leeds on the 69 minute mark to pile even more misery on Saints. Sinfield again converted the try and the score was 25-6. It certainly looked like it was Leeds’ night for glory.

Another penalty given away by St Helens saw Sinfield kick a goal from 50 metres out to add an extra 2 points. With less than 10 minutes to go it was 27-6.

This match was a bitter sweet affair for Tony Smith. It was his last match in charge of the Rhinos before he leaves to coach the Great Britain squad. His team did him proud tonight and their match against Wigan last week seemed to have worked in their favour. They were match prepared, unlike Saints who had had a few weeks off.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan went over the line for Leeds with seconds to go and Sinfield converted, making the Yorkshire side the Grand Final champions of 2007.

The final score was 33-6.