St Helens (6) 42
Tries: Graham, Roby, Meli, Lomax, Moore, Wellens, Gaskell
Goals: Foster 5
Leeds (4) 16
Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Smith
Goals: Sinfield 4

James Roby started Saints' stunning early second-half try blitz

St Helens remain within two points of Super League leaders Warrington as they came from behind to demolish Leeds after the break at the Stobart Stadium.

In a fiercely-fought first half, Leeds edged ahead with two Kevin Sinfield penalties before Saints finally scored through joint skipper James Graham.

Having led only 6-4 at the break, Saints then ran in five unanswered tries in 22 second-half minutes.

But Saints' England hooker James Roby suffered a fractured eye socket.

Roby picked up the injury in the first half of Saints' emphatic victory but, although he played on until the 74th minute, he may miss next week's match against the Super League Exiles at Headingley.

Saints are not yet sure how serious the problem is but his participation next Friday night must be in doubt.

It was Roby who launched Saints' storming early second-half blitz before Francis Meli, Jonny Lomax, Scott Moore and Paul Wellens all crossed too.

It is not happening for them at the minute and we are in a tough place Leeds coach Brian McDermott

And, although Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Lee Smith responded at the other end to make the scoreline look a little prettier for the men in pink, Lee Gaskell had the last word for Saints, Jamie Foster making it seven out of seven with the boot.

Injury-hit St Helens were still without latest casualty Ade Gardner, who has a torn Achilles that could keep him out for the rest of the season, while Josh Perry, only just back from injury, served a one-game ban and Chris Flannery, Leon Pryce, Gary Wheeler and Paul Clough were still out too.

Saints, who were 30-16 winners at Headingley when the two sides last met in March, have now won their last four home meetings with Leeds.

The Rhinos' latest capitulation, just a week after a heavy home defeat by Warrington, sees them drop to sixth in the table.

St Helens coach Royce Simmons:

"I didn't know too much about James Roby's injury. I brought him off to give him a rest. But, at half-time, the doctor had a look at it and I think he carried on with it through most of the second half.

"It is a pretty bad sign when you start to get air coming out of it but we don't know how bad the fracture is. Steve McNamara, the England coach, will want to know I suppose.

"It was a good performance, close to our best. We have had a couple of other games where we have played pretty good and that was right up there with them. But we certainly took some juice out of the opposition and were pretty professional."

Leeds coach Brian McDermott:

"It is not happening for them at the minute and we are in a tough place but they are a strong group.

"The scoreline wasn't pleasing, or the points we conceded but we did some stuff with the ball - not enough - and had some control.

"And when they were near our tryline, certainly in the first half, I thought we were outstanding."

St Helens: Wellens; Makinson, Shenton, Meli, Foster; Gaskell, Lomaxl; Graham, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Wilkin, Puletua.

Replacements: Eastmond, Moore, Dixon, Magennis.

Leeds: Webb; Hardaker, Smith, Delaney, Hall; McGuire, Burrow; Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield.

Replacements: Lauitiiti, Bailey, Hauraki, McShane.

Attendance: 9,062.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington).

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