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Rugby League

Saints take spoils and extend lead

23/07/2006

St Helens extended their lead at the top of the Super League table after they edged out second-placed Leeds Rhinos 18-14 at Headingley.

In a thrilling match in front of a sell-out crowd, Saints survived the last ten minutes with only 12 men after Jamie Lyon was sent off for a late tackle on Rob Burrow to move six points clear of the Rhinos with six games of the regular season remaining.

Both coaches admitted afterwards that the red carding of Lyon was unlucky but agreed it was a fantastic, close-fought game.

"I thought Jamie Lyon was very unlucky to be red-carded as he didn't have any intent to do anything sinister and I've seen a lot worse this year," Leeds coach Tony Smith said.

"I thought it was a fantastic spectacle and was a quality performance from two very good teams," St Helens coach Daniel Anderson added.

It was the home side which took the lead on 14 minutes as Gareth Ellis burst through a gap and ran in from 30 yards, despite the challenge from Saints full-back Paul Wellens.

Maurie Fa'asavalu then tied the game up at 6-6 with a score which needed confirming by the video referee after he powered his way to the line.

But Keith Senior took back the advantage for Leeds as he intercepted Leon Price's pass and ran in from 80 metres.

Both sides ended the half a man down as Willie Talau of St Helens and Chev Walker of Leeds were sin-binned for fighting, with Kevin Sinfield knocking over the resulting penalty.

The visitors made it 14-12 at the interval as Lee Gilmour touched down just prior to the hooter.

Gilmour then added a second on 66 minutes, latching onto Keiron Cunningham's pass, to give Saints an 18-14 lead which they held onto despite the dismissal of Lyon.

In the day's other game, the Catalan Dragons saw off Salford 26-6.

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