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Rugby League

Saints clinch grand final place

28/09/2007

Defending champions St Helens have reached the Super League Grand Final after beating Leeds 10-8 at Knowsley Road.

The Saints sealed their place at Old Trafford thanks to a try from Leon Pryce and three goals from Matty Smith.

The Rhinos scored a try from Lee Smith while Kevin Sinfield kicked two goals.

They will get another chance to reach the final when they face either Hull or Wigan at Headingley next Friday.

Saints coach Daniel Anderson was without Maurie Fa’asavalau and Sean Long after both players failed fitness tests.

The hosts made the brighter start but found themselves behind on five minutes when Smith intercepted Paul Wellens' pass to race 90 metres downfield to score, with Sinfield kicking the conversion to make it 6-0.

The Saints responded on 16 minutes when Pryce cut inside to score between the posts with Smith slotting over the extras to level the scores.

St Helens took an 8-6 lead into the break when Brent Webb was penalised for a crunching tackle on Smith, with Smith then kicking over the penalty to make it 8-6.

Leeds, who have beaten the Saints twice this season, levelled the scores at 8-8 on 48 minutes when Smith booted over his second penalty.

The Rhinos, who finished runners-up to the Saints in the regular season, had a try disallowed on 55 minutes by referee Phil Bentham.

Jordan Tansey felt he touched the ball down after a scramble but the video replay showed a defender had got the first touch.

The hosts edged ahead again when Smith kicked over his third penalty 17 minutes form time.

The Rhinos continued to pile forward with referee Bentham refusing to go to the video replay when Webb appeared to touch the ball down in the dying minutes.