McDonald's magic moment
St Helens 16 Leeds Rhinos 24
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Your support makes all the difference.An astonishing try from the player who might be the most improved in Super League, the Leeds prop, Wayne McDonald, clinched the win that took his side back to the top of the table and put down a marker for next weekend's Challenge Cup semi-final between the same clubs.
The match was still in the balance eight minutes from time when McDonald charged through, ignored support on both sides and completed a 70-yard run to the line. It was the moment that helped Leeds retain their position as the only unbeaten side in the country.
Almost inevitably Paul Sculthorpe made the first break of the match and, although Mark Calderwood did remarkably well to catch Darren Albert, Saints had the numbers when the ball was moved to the opposite wing. Darren Smith collected to score with less than two minutes on the clock.
Leeds equalised with a converted try of their own after five minutes. Andrew Dunenamm posted a high kick and Francis Cummins palmed the ball back for Keith Senior, with Kevin Sinfield adding a splendid touchline conversion.
Unlike many games that are dummy runs for forthcoming cup matches, there was little being held back. Leeds edged ahead when Sinfield scored a penalty and went further in front with a bizarre try. Saints were attacking, when Jason Hooper's reverse pass cannoned off Paul Wellens' chest and hit the woodwork for Senior to pick up and dash 90 yards for a try converted by Sinfield. Not one you find in the coaching manuals.
Burrow was a relieved man when his knock-on gave Saints the chance to cut the deficit before half-time, but Wellens failed to touch down cleanly from Sean Long's high kick. The home side could not complain at being behind.
They made big inroads into the Leeds lead at the start of the second half, with Darren Britt's pass releasing Sculthorpe to score and convert.
The kick for the corner caught Saints out again when Dunemann's bomb eluded Ade Gardner for Willie Poching to touch down.
Back came Saints again with Martin Gleeson's try after Albert knocked down Sculthorpe's kick. Sculthorpe could not land the goal that would have tied the scores, but Sinfield managed one from 40 yards. The outcome was still uncertain, however, until McDonald became the unlikely match winner.
St Helens: Stewart, Albert, Gleeson, Newlove, Gardner, Sculthorpe, Long, Britt, Jonkers, Edmondson, Stankevitch, Smith, Hooper. Substitutes used: Joynt, Jones, Higham, Wellens.
Leeds: Connolly, Calderwood, McKenna, Senior, Cummins, Dunemann, Burrow, McDermott, Diskin, Ward, Adamson, Furner, Sinfield. Substitutes used: McGuire, Feather, Poching, McDonald.
Referee: I Smith (Oldham).
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