Saints run over Leeds

The Super League leaders St Helens ran in 30 points in the last quarter to beat Leeds 42-16 at Knowsley Road and retain their one-point lead over Wigan.

Saints led only 12-10 until midway through the second half before slipping into top gear - even without their inspirational skipper Bobbie Goulding, who limped off with a knee injury.

Leeds, who stunned Saints with a third-minute try from Barrie McDermott, fell apart as the home side ran in six tries in 18 minutes. Keiron Cunningham started the romp in the 59th minute and Steve Prescott added the goal. Then Derek McVey went over and Karl Hammond crossed to make it 26-10. Danny Arnold, Paul Newlove and Apollo Perelini all crossed to open up a 42-10 lead. Leeds managed a late try when their substitute Gary Mercer went over while Saints were down to 12 men with McVey in the sin bin for holding down.

Halifax moved further away from relegation trouble with a 24-20 win at Castleford. They had to do it the hard way, though, recovering from 14- 4 down in the first half with winger John Bentley scoring two tries, including a superb 80-yarder.

Keighley kept alive their First Division promotion hopes with a 26-14 victory at Hull which ended their rivals' six-match winning run. Widnes won 22-14 at Whitehaven, who had Siose Mulliumu sent off for a high tackle. Hull KR opened up a two-point lead over Hunslet in the Second Division with a 36-14 win at the west Yorkshire outfit.