Leeds fight back to stay in touch

ROUND-UP

Leeds, runners-up last year in the Stones Bitter Championship and Silk Cut Challenge Cup to Wigan, fought back to outclass Halifax 60-27 at Headingley in their Stones Centenary Championship match yesterday.

Trailing 27-10 at the interval, Leeds took advantage of Aca Amone's dismissal for a high tackle to score 24 points in the first 15 minutes of the second half. As Leeds powered to their third successive home win, Craig Innes completed a try hat-trick and Paul Cook landed 11 goals from 11 attempts.

St Helens, who will sign the pounds 100,000-rated stand-off, Karle Hammond, from Widnes today, moved into third place with a 66-22 victory over Workington at Derwent Park.

Saints scored four tries in the opening 20 minutes to set up a 34-16 interval lead; Workington claimed three tries before half-time fighting back from 24-0. Peter Livett's try after the break proved a consolation rather than the start of a revival.