Leeds v St Helens Rugby League: Challenge Cup

The game continues at a furious pace.

This is the inner sanctum of Headingley Carnegie Institute.

Historic moments adorn the walls, full of players and men who should

not be forgotten. The current Leeds Rhinos squads are in there, looking

to create their own history, a place in the Challenge Cup quarterfinal is

up for grabs. They are taking on Saint Helens, two of the game's

great clubs and great entertainers. We cannot wait for this game to

start. We are very excited about it and we hope you are as well. There

is a weak crowd here at Headingley for Leeds against St Helens. Young

and old are ready to go and kick off its less than half an hour away. The

players are warming up in the sunshine here in Yorkshire. Same is

warming up, the Leeds cheerleaders are coming out and the Leeds Rhinos

players will be out shortly as well. Let's look at the Challenge Cup

fifth round draw. All the ties are over this weekend.

All the other games are tomorrow, with a couple of Super League ties.

We are on BBC One until 4:30pm, and then we will be on the red button

for another half an hour after that. We will take your questions and look

at the rest of the fifth round ties, and then a quarterfinal draw

is on Monday evening, 6:30pm on the BBC News Channel. You will be able

to see all the action from the fifth round on the Super League show,

Challenge Cup fifth round special, Monday in the North from 11:55pm,

and then on the iPlayer from Tuesday. This should be a cracker.

This will be an amazing game, the sun coming out just in time. I

expect some great strides and perhaps some dodgy decisions as

well. You can't let it go! He has changed his name to Jose Mourinho!

The elephant in the room, let's get it out of the way. This is the final

minute of the game, Huddersfield against Saints. They did not take

any chances and nailed it right through the middle. First one,

definitely a drop goal. Second one, no, it didn't go over. Mr Benson,

the referee, said, I was there and I saw it and it didn't go over. Live

Walsh had no reaction when he saw it. When it's Danny Brough kicked

that, he immediately celebrated. Was he fooling? Unfortunately, it just

wasn't to be. Walshe's kick was special in itself. There was a real

sense of injustice for Huddersfield at the end. It is a horrible thing

to go through, because you think you have done enough and we hadn't. You

get to work with Brian, and when you look at the Super League table,

Brian, since Saints got through at Huddersfield, they got through a

Castleford Tigers. They were unbeaten going into that game. They

are now down in third. Huddersfield were the better team on the day.

Subsequent form has not been good. They need to bring a game plan today

that offers a lot towards Leeds. Everybody talks about possession of

the ball. If they are simplistic and only have one shot against Leeds,

they will get more joy, so they will have to play the expansive kind of

football that we are used to seeing from Saints.

Was it a bit of a. From St Helens? Not really. They deserved the point

that they got. They are struggling with injury and things like that. It

makes a massive difference. And you are a believer that form does not

get out of the window in the Challenge Cup final? It is about the

individuals who have to look at their game and rectify what is going

wrong in the team. I would not read too much into their game against

Widnes. I think they are ready for today. They have a big chance today.

Let's find out which players are ready for today.

We have a different Saints side than the one that lost to Widnes. A more

familiar line-up for Saints today. Jonny Lomax is back in, but the big

news for them is that Kyle a Moore is back. -- Kyle Amor is back. Mosin

Masoe starts on the bench as well. As for Leeds, they are pretty much

as we expected. They have shuffled the pack bit over Easter, but not

much. Ben Jones-Bishop misses out and Zac Hardacre is back on

fullback. Paul Ayton is a long-term absentee for them. Rob Burrow will

start as a hooker for them. The Rhinos are just coming out of

their changing room. They will be warming up very shortly. You can get

in touch with us. Give us what you think about Jon Wilkin starting in

the halves today. We are running a vote this afternoon, who'd you think

will win this game? You can vote on the BBC sport website or you can

tweet us. All the terms and conditions are on the BBC sport

website. We will close the vote in about ten minutes and then we will

give you the result of that vote before kick-off at Headingley. A lot

of attention on Saints' backline this season. Jonny Lomax has been

talking to his team-mate Jon Wilkin. One of the biggest changes we had at

since last year was you switching to fullback. How did you find that

transition? It is hard trying to take it upon the goal last year. The

biggest thing is the freedom it gives you. It helps having Paul

Owens around. He will look after you. He has been doing it for years

on end and he is the perfect men thought to have. Your preparation

for games, you are an unusual character with real superstitions in

every aspect of your preparation. Yes! They are pretty bad, to be

honest. Something I have always had when I was growing up. Lucky

underpants, you grow out of them very quickly when you are growing

up. Hard to keep up with some of them. I am not going any more and I

do have my little care and the same pair of socks. As a young player,

you had some bad injuries. Talk this through the early part of your

career. I have to wear a head guard these days because of the injury,

the haemorrhage, I had, a blood clot. At first I did not think it

was very major, until I woke up in the hospital bed about five days

later. To have injuries makes you appreciate the game more and

appreciate why you play the game and why you have to play it for fun and

it makes you appreciate it that bit more when you think it might be

taken from you. As a young man coming into the Saint Helens team

must be a dream come true. As you know, I was used to being nude,

because I was being -- in awe of everybody. I didn't speak for about

two years! You have come out of your shell now. Yes, definitely got over

that now. Leeds on Saints in recent history, there is no bigger

competition. The Challenge Cup, something as a kid growing up, I

always used to go to it. In 1996, we got there, I was there with all the

family. It was a great occasion. It is something that you dream about

giving yourself one day. Good luck to both of us. Cheers.

He talks about Paul Wellens, and the mentoring site is very important for

a coach. Seasoned players give messages to younger players that you

can't give as a coach. They are the Warriors who are out there doing it.

If you look at the Leeds team and Jamie Peacock and what he has done

throughout the years with a lot of players, it is vitally important

that the standards he set are given right throughout the team. And he

has benefited from that, Jonny Lomax. When we look at Lomax, he is

involved in one of several fascinating head to heads on this

pitch. The contrast between him and Zac Hardacre. Vidar two of the most

exciting players in the Super League right now, simply because they cover

so many metres. They are the men who get the ball forward and make sure

you get on the front foot. They are exciting. They have only been doing

this has fullbacks for the last couple of years and it scares me to

think where they will be. It will be fascinating watching England in the

years going forward because of the fullback talent available. As far as

the Saint Helens team is concerned, take us through it, Brian. The back

three that all talked about there, headed up by Jonny Lomax, with Adam

Swift, at silly names, and Tom Makinson. Mark Percival is back in

the team. New halfback partner for Luke Walsh, getting all the

headlines with his kicking, Jon Wilkin, with his left foot kick.

Upfront, James Roby, one of the world's best hookers, alongside Alex

Walmsley and Kyle Amor. Off the bench, Greg Richards and the

experienced Paul Wellens, well over 400 games for his club and a mental

to Jonny Lomax. A formidable Saint Helens outfit. Thank you very much.

This is how they are going to play. We say in rugby League that the back

determine the score of the game, but the forwards determine the outcome.

We have two of the best set of forwards in rugby League here today.

We have James Roby for Saint Helens, they are going through that last

stretches now. We have Sia Soliola, supported by Alex Walmsley and Josh

Jones. But the player I want to focus on is just down here, Mosin

Masoe. He is like a human avalanche! When he is carrying the

ball, he is a war in motion and that is what makes him dangerous. When he

carries the ball to the line, he is going to draw several defenders all

the way to him, which will create space on the edges. That is what Jon

Wilkin and the other halves will be playing off the back of. They have

some strikers in these players. We will just have a word with Jon

Wilkin who is stretching on the ground here. How have the

preparations gone? We have prepared well, it is a big crowd, TV

audience, and we are ready to play. Good luck.

I had visions of him having to lie down next to him! Is that the right

decision, playing him at halfback? Time will tell. Nathan Brown feels

it gives him a left footed kicking option. Jon Wilkin is a bit more

substantial, akin to Kevin Sinfield. It adds the size threat and the

footballing threat, with a ball carrying threat. It is not as if he

is a stranger to playing there. He played there last year. Let's switch

from Saint Helens to Leeds. We will introduce you to a member of their

squad, Kallum Watkins. Kallum Watkins, Leeds Rhinos. I am

from Manchester, mainly a football city. In terms of rugby, it is all

about Salford, my dad knew a couple of mates, he got me and my brother

into it. It went on from there, I met some great friends, and here I

am. Keith senior took me under his wing, he was fantastic with me, I

learned a lot from him. He is respected around the world. He was a

fantastic player. I want to be the same. We have a couple of players

here now, Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Rob Rowe, they always turn

up. That gives you a big boost. When I was a younger player, I aspired to

match that. He is great, if you work hard, you will get your chance. He

has had trust in players, and that will give them a big boost, no

matter what age. Kallum Watkins, and England try! The

noise has just reached roof lifting proportions!

That was amazing, the dream come true. Something that I dream. As a

kid, scoring a try at Wembley for England. Something that I will

treasure for the rest of my life. My little lad is one now, we are really

happy as a family, but it has changed me as a person, I have

mature a bit more. He is my main focus, and I am proud to be a proud

dad. What a finish! Sensational!

We started on fire, they might have lost the previous two results, but

in terms of how they have been playing, it has been great, they are

good with the ball in hand, they have attacking players. It is a

Challenge Cup game, it is a knockout, we want to get to Wembley.

Every team wants to do that. We have got to beat the best teams, that is

the way it has to be. It is a challenge we want to take.

How much has he benefited from playing alongside Joel Moon? Joel

Moon is an exceptional talent, he goes under the radar, he creates so

much stuff. Kallum Watkins is becoming a freak of nature, his

tries are unbelievable. Is he the best English centre at the moment?

Yes, he has size, strength, power, pace, great hands, he has solved a

couple of his defensive issues, he has really improved. But about the

partnership? Has that brought him on? The back five, including the

wingers and the fullback, watch out. If you play against this team, you

have to be ready. Take us through the team. Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe

and Ryan Hall on the back three. That is why Jon Wilkin is in there.

The form centres of the competition, Joel Moon has been on fire, but

Kallum Watkins, the power and pace he has, he is a pleasure to watch.

The saddle halves, Danny McGuire and Kevin Sinfield, they will know what

to do. The experience different row, Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai and Jamie

Peacock. Two big men and one little bloke in the middle. The back three

has been established this year, Rhett Delaney back in the team,

along with col tablet and Mitch a church. From the bench, Ian Kirk and

Chris Clarkson, they are used to this position, they know what to do

when they come into the outfit. The young guns, Liam Sutcliffe and Brad

Singleton. They know their roles. They have huge prospects in the

game. The last Super League game was against Salford, they beat them. Ben

Jones-Bishop amongst the try scorers. He is not involved today.

Does that highlight the strength in depth? Yes. With the wingers, they

offer something different. Ben Jones-Bishop can finish tries off,

he is quick and smart. The other two wingers get them forward a bit more,

and that is where the game is won. In the first 15 minutes, you have to

march down the field and control it. Some great examples, you do not hand

over the ball, that is why Jon Wilkin is playing, to kick the ball

in a certain manner. Ben Jones-Bishop, you give him that

space, and here again, they do not clean up, Salford, and Tom Briscoe

comes up with it. Bluelight should be flashing. If we are talking about

players being arrested the week before a Challenge Cup tie --

players being rested, Leeds Rhinos have the ability to do that, but not

many other sides have. They did not rest anybody over Easter. Other

sides did. Their philosophy is, we will put our best side out every

time we can. They do not lose any strength. We are closing the vote,

it is closed, we will tell you in a moment who you think is going to win

this game, Saint Helens or Leeds Rhinos.

We talked about the experience of Leeds Rhinos, the senior Saint

Helens, Jon Wilkin, they will be crucial this afternoon. Without a

doubt, that is why Nathan Brown has put Jon Wilkin there. We talk about

game sense, knowing what to do. We have not heard from either coach, so

let's rectify that. This is a huge game. You take your

hat off for a while and appreciate what is at stake today, and the

spectacle on show. I am looking forward to it. Putting my Leeds

Rhinos hat back on, we are up against a very good team, so we will

need to be very good. You had a flying start, but you have had

back-to-back defeats. Wigan are a good side. The first half was quite

a good game of football, but they were a touch better than us and

deserved the victory. The witness game, we put a very different team

out, for obvious reasons. We got a lot of positives, some of the

younger players performed really well. It has got the squad in good

stead. A lot of the players have talked about the Challenge Cup,

about this generation picking up the Challenge Cup, how conscious are you

of that? Conscious. The whole club and team would have a problem if we

kept getting beaten in the first round. But the fact that we have got

through to quite a few finals and not quite got there, while it is

disappointing and makes a couple of headlines, too much gets made of it.

Each year, you start again, and your desire is to lift all of the

trophies. You would say that Tommy Makinson would score at some point,

how please tidy with him? He has done really well. The guys today

that they are up against have good CDs. They have good experience, they

have won a key Grand Finals and been to Wembley, and that is the

challenge, to play well and take trophies, and then hopefully move

into representative football. Today will be a good challenge for him. He

is Super League's hottest property, Tom Makinson.

He is trying to deflect some of the attention he is getting. Is it

understandable from the couch, trying to deflect the attention a

bit? He will be conscious of the other blokes in the team. The focus

is on his finishing, the way he puts the ball down. There is no doubt

that some of those finishes are required.

They are two of the best wingers in the competition. Paul is a bit more

straightforward. -- Ryan Hall is a bit more straightforward. They are

not worried about carrying the ball. There is very little between them in

tries. Ryan Hall has the slight edge. There is huge attention on Tom

Makinson's scoring. You have got rugby players' hands.

If he was at Wigan, Sean Wade would not allow him to do that. How does

he hold the ball? Do you think it is fair enough that he scores like

that? It is an exceptional talent, he is

scoring tries and not making errors. You have got to have massive hands,

like myself. As you spread your fingers, your thumb wrapped around

the ball, it is a fundamental part of the game. Sometimes, it goes

overseen. It enables a big bloke like him to turn around, hold people

off with the other hand and make a selective off-load. Coaches will

encourage the correct grip on the ball, it is all about your fingers

and thumb, rather than the size of your hand. The type of finishing he

is coming up with, you have to put the ball back, you could not do that

with a conventional grip. When he is not scoring in that situation... The

attention will be read here drops one. Will teams look to target

that? It's so difficult. He is diving through the air, so he does

not get pushed into touch. He is scoring the try every time. We are

moments away from kick-off, they sent Helens team going the tunnel.

The Leeds Rhinos are holding back slightly. You have been voting on

who you think will win this match. This is it, the Challenge Cup fifth

round, a quarterfinal place awaits, will it be Leeds Rhinos or Saint

Helens? That is the prize that one of the

site will be hoping to lift when we go to Wembley in August. Only one of

them will go through, as Kevin Sinfield and Jon Wilkin get ready to

lead their side out. This is Leeds Rhinos against St Helens in the

Challenge Cup fifth round. There is no doubting the sense of

occasion here. No doubting the immense pedigree of both of these

sides as they take to the field. No doubting the history of this

wonderful competition, represented by that particular trophy, the only

question is, will this match measure up to the enormous expectations? We

hope so. If it does, it will be an absolute cracker here today between

the two form teams of the Super League, 2014, far this year. We

might hear a growl from the likes of Wigan, who would suggest they are

there as well! No shortage of experience for Leeds Rhinos, the

front row has a combine age of 103. But no shortage of youthful

razzle-dazzle in the outside backs as well. As we have been hearing. St

Helens rested a queue for the Easter Monday game against witness, but

back, Jonny Lomax, Luke Walsh, Kyle a more and James Roby. Jon Wilkin

partnering Luke Walsh in the halves. Nathan Brown and Keiron Cunningham

have done so much, and Richard Silverwood is our referee today. He

has got plenty of Challenge Cup the Pedigree -- pedigree with three

finals in his experience. Headingley is sparkling on a sunny Saturday

afternoon. These are two teams who are capable of matching the

elements, Sinfield with a low hard drive, and our first return. Saint

Helens against Castleford, they did it again. Saint Helens against

Wigan, first drive, McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Alex Walmsley

lost the ball. Three games, Saint Helens have knock-on with their

first touch of the ball. They haven't started well in most games,

but if you give Leeds the advantage early on, it will be difficult to

come back, but this game has all the ingredients of being an absolute

classic. They have given Leeds this early advantage. Can they take it?

Here comes 36-year-old Jamie Peacock to challenge.

A good tackle from Walsh. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is playing in

the back row as well, hoping with the defence. Saint Helens have asked

the question, five tackles so far. What about number six? Here comes

the chase. Lomax has taken it on the fall. The restart gains his team ten

metres. I think with this side, both these sides, there is so much

attack. Whoever creates opportunities will win. Defence is

good on both sides. McCarthy-Scarsbrook with a bruising

effort and a good off-load. Terrific play from the Londoner. The Leeds

defence has been so solid. It will be Leeds to get the

handover. Peacock Court and elbow right on the chin and he is walking

back rather slowly. If he feels there has been a bit of shenanigans,

he will get his own back quite legitimately. Three big games

recently, they have knock-on in the very first place. Is that a fluke,

or is there something going wrong with the psychology? It is a fluke,

something that we magnify and focus on. They are at the right end of the

field now, and picking up on something that Jonathan mentioned,

it is what you do with the ball against Leeds, not how much ball you

get. Saint Helens have to play with a two shots to have a chance of

beating this team. A search by Saint Helens on the way through. He jumped

and he touched. We will have to hear from the video referee. Not from

there. It is difficult to say from that angle. Josh Jones was the man,

and his -- he has given this as a dropper underneath the sticks. It is

whether you play the ball intentionally. What the referee has

adjudicated there is that because he has jumped off the ground and

challenged the ball, the fact it had hit him, he is adjudicated to have

played the ball. Leeds are less than ten yards away.

Sinfield operating from dummy half. They have got the overlap there. He

has got the ball down. The referee is just checking with the touch

judge. He is going to ask about the obstruction. For the first time, we

hear from our video referee. We are looking at the obstruction to see if

the man behind the ball runs by one of his own players, and on those

occasions, the ball is passed before that happens, and the leader makes

space. I am happy with that, if we can just now go to the grounding.

I'm happy there is no obstruction. Just making sure that the player

ground the ball cleanly. From that angle, it looks like he

does and the ball is on that hand. If we slow this down, please... Yes.

I am happy with that. That is a try. Here is the decision, confirmed to

the Headingley crowd. Leeds have the opening try of the day. It was

scored by Zac Hardaker. It was well created as well.

Sinfield now to add the extras in relation to what is a great start to

Leeds. I don't think Nathan Brown will be happy with the defence

there. The dummy runners came through early and they could have

shifted out wide. An easy finish for a classy player like Zac Hardaker.

Kevin Sinfield steadying his concentration, putting out all the

noise. Doing that job very well. A beautiful cake from Kevin Sinfield.

Leeds are now leading the game by 6-0. Here is the decision. That is a

tough call. I don't even think he touched it. A tough call for Saint

Helens, but he was in a good position, the referee. A good finish

from Zac Hardaker. An unconventional grip on the ball, but he manages to

get it down, clearly finishing the play. Restart, some backpedalling

required, Briscoe is the kind of winger that has the power to burst

out of the position on that occasion.

He gets their set rolling so well. Briscoe, we don't often see him in

that kind of position, but he finds his front and he gets to play the

ball quickly and get the lead set rolling.

Kyle Amor was at Leeds early in his career. He was not a playing member,

but on the fringes before he went to Wakefield, and now he is at Saint

Helens. A great set by Leeds. A good kick-off by Saint Helens. The choice

of the up and under put pressure on Jonny Lomax. If you look at Leeds,

they have got Sinfield, McGuire and Rob Burrow as a kicking game. You

have to have options, and Jon Wilkin does that for Saints. Format years

ago in a cup tie between these teams, a makeshift stand-off, Jon

Wilkin when man of the match. He was outstanding. He has since three --

he has history. Saint Helens have the advantage.

He had so much time on that, because it was a poor kick, he just took his

eye off it. This is a try, just watch. The young

centre just stepped inside and takes the dummy run. That is why the gap

opened up for the try scorer Zac Hardaker. They were short of

defensive numbers as well. That is what you have to do. If everyone

goes in, you all have to go at -- in. You all go together. If one goes

in and one goes out, the gap opens up.

The tackle is gone, the momentum is lost. Jon Wilkin is spinning it

hard. They have to put more pressure on

after the kick is done. As we saw before the match, this back three is

brilliant in counterattacking on the back kick. A tight defence for

Leeds. They have conceded 82 in ten Super League games. The nearest

other team, Wigan, have conceded nearly twice as many points.

Worrying signs. Three on two, and the pass goes low. Very dangerous.

If the pass goes to hand, it is a score. They created a three on two

with the break from Ablett in the middle of the field. The challenge

for Saints is the way that leads are defending, they have to throw more

at Leeds. The kick has got to be precise. You

are not going to get many opportunities against this Leeds

defence. You have to try to get something out of it.

Saint Helens are looking to get something going here, but the Leeds

defence is very solid. Soliola made the advantage running

defence. The chase has but to be better. It has got to compete for

that ball. Jamie Peacock is taking a deep

breath on the right-hand side. It goes to Rob Burrow. He is the man

who has picked it up again. When momentum and look is with you, you

have to write the deflection off a kick.

Joel Moon, magic in his hands at times, Joel Moon.

Soliola is just reaching out and not quite getting it.

They have a decent position here. 18 metres, plenty of fields to play

with on the right-hand side for McGuire to put this kick in.

Danny McGuire will not be happy with that kick. You have got to put hang

time on it for the players to get under it. They are asking questions

of the St Helens defence, when you have got Greg Richards -- Mark

Percival and Adam Swift, they are not communicating well, and Leeds

Rhinos have spotted that. It is a strategy of the said Helen 's

defence. Despite the despairing lunge, Adam

Swift will score. St Helens back in it again. It is a great ball, a good

angle. Mark Percival and Adam Swift are brilliant in attack. Great

defence by Leeds Rhinos. This guy showed how quick he was by running

away from Kallum Watkins. A brilliant response from St Helens.

Just what the game needed. It is a fraction in the middle of the field.

A great ball from Sia Soliola. All it needs is Adam Swift to get on the

end of it. Kallum Watkins at the angle on him, I thought. A lovely

pass. Good finish, as well, this guy can run a bit. The fellow on the

other wing has been getting a lot of the accolades this year, because he

has scored some miraculous tries, Tom Makinson, but Adam Swift keeps

on producing, his 26th appearance, 25 tries. The two tries scored

already, clever distribution. One little mistake, by stepping in, it

was Annie Maguire in that instance, they hit the whole, and they make

you pay. Luke Walsh has been a revelation

since his signing from Penrith, just what St Helens needed is the common

consensus. His kicking is pretty good. As he has just proven. It is

all square again. A lovely kick. We have got the day for it. The pass

from Sia Soliola is a peach. He sees him on the fly, not many back

rosewood managed to handle that. Game on.

He has got his hands out in front of him a lot of them carry the ball in

their chest. They are like a couple of cavemen,

Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor. I bet you would not say that to them on

the sideline! Kyle and more dressed up as a tramp

last year, people thought he was a tramp, they would not let him into

various establishments! So convincing is that beard! Leeds

Rhinos looking to re-establish a bit of momentum. They are just edging

the territory. Great weather, good game.

St Helens are warming to this challenge, their line speed has got

better. The winger and the fullback were

just in discussion when the ball was in midair. Absolutely right, Adam

Swift and Jonny Lomax looked at each other. It is up to Mark Percival to

clean it up, he does really well. You have got to have good

communication. You know the Leeds Rhinos tactics, every time they

kick, they will put hang time on it and cause disruption in the St

Helens defence. It was good defence initially by

Jordan Turner, but you have got to nail him.

The referee might have to give the try here. As cruel as it may be.

Luke Walsh was injured as he picked it up, but Danny McGuire put it

down. Video referee required. Let's hear from the video referee.

On the kick, everybody is onside. We need to then see if there is a

knock-on, we need a close and, if possible, to seek a St Helens

knock-on. That is off his feet, that is fine, that is OK. That is the

tackle completed. We need to jog it on from here. We cannot give a try

because a tackle has been completed, so the ball is therefore not back in

play. Could I have a closer and to see how the ball comes out? We

cannot give a try, because the play stopped, the ball is dead. There is

no knock there at that point. That is play on. The tackle is

completed. Now, he is injured. It will have to be a scrum down to stop

no try. A scrum down. We cannot play on. I do not think anybody will be

surprised. The greater concern was the damage

done to Luke Walsh. His right elbow. He only has it strapped up. For our

viewers, not clear with the rules, the tackle has been deemed to be

complete, so the ball is not in play, so it is a scrum down. Danny

McGuire picks the ball up when Luke Walsh gets injured. It is worrying

for St Helens when your main organiser, ballplayer, kicker is

carrying an injury to the elbow. He does not look confident about it

now. If you are a Leeds Rhinos player, you relate his right arm.

Lance Hohaia would have been an option off the bench, but he is not

there. Paul Wellens is an option off the bench. Jonny Lomax can play in

the heart as well. Luke Walsh is defending in the right

centre position, so Leeds Rhinos have to look for him in the

defensive line, test the right elbow. Tactically, St Helens are

putting the ball high. They are watching footage of what Zak

Hardaker and Ryan Hall and Tom Briscoe can do on the run. So, they

are going really high, so it is a standing start for the captains, and

they can handle them defensively. The one thing they cannot do is kick

directly to them. The South stand are proclaiming the

virtues of Ryan Hall, the winger whose determination to vote that

penalty. A very wide centre field position from the first tackle. If

there were questions about Luke Walsh, he bravely hung on there.

That is a great tackle by Mark Percival, I thought he had done him

then. They cannot stand off, St Helens are standing off, they may be

giving Leeds centres and outside backs too much respect, they have to

close the space down a little bit. Brian McDermott, the coach here, he

is a two-time Challenge Cup winner, both with Bradford, and a former

rate Britain International. Later, join us on the red button

forum. A good run. Some of these blokes,

like two giant stacks locking up and crashing into each other.

It was taken well by Tom Briscoe, who launches at the other way. They

have kept it alive. He was the lid into. We had

everything, footwork from Rob Burrow, and then, boom. The loose

kick, and you have got to switch on, because Tom Briscoe has got the

legs. I would not mind seeing Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook on Strickler

come dancing! This is a great game so far, it has got it all. This is a

proper cup tie. To proper team is, two teams in their pomp at this

stage of the season. It is a drop-out underneath the

sticks. The high kick is causing huge problems for the St Helens

defence, there is nobody dictating or control in that area. Louie

McCarthy-Scarsbrook tried to take an offensive player and catch it. But

there was no catcher. We have some news from the touchline. They are

doing running repairs on Luke Walsh, he twisted his elbow, that is what

is causing the problem. There does not seem to be a lot of

wind there, but if anything, it is certainly favouring Leeds in the

first half. Some of these challenges look like wild West shoot outs. It

is judged to perfection in terms of the ball bouncing just the right

side of the touchline. I think he was really pleased it bounced this

side of the try-line! Headingley looks good. Full marks to

Brian Golding, the groundsman here, he was working here until 1:30am and

slept in the stadium overnight and got up at 6am this morning, and his

team, and the stadium looks lovely. It is a great place to play. It is a

great base to come today. A lot of teams get it wrong. Coming here and

playing here is absolutely fabulous. If you can engender that spirit and

enjoy the graphs, enjoyed a crowd doing to you, always things --

booing you, all those things. I think that was going out anyway.

They had enough defenders there to close the space. They have got to

come at a bit faster on the left-hand side defensively.

Young Greg Richards, 18 years old. Literally half the age of Jamie

Peacock! Jon Wilkin saw peacock there have a go at him.

When Leeds that the high kicks up, everyone is under it and competing

for it. Things haven't managed that yet. I think they have not had a

clean shot on the ball, and the coach will be more concerned about

giving the Leeds back three a running opportunity. If you can't

get a clean catch, don't compete. Forward pass. Illegal. The fifth or

sixth are from Leeds. It won't stop them playing. Their ball movement

this year has been exceptional. Saints are similar. It is about what

you do with your possession rather than how much possession you get.

Both of these are good footballing teams. Enough defenders there, just

a ensure of what each other are doing at the moment. They have to

communicate on the left-hand side. Leeds need to find their mark, and

they have done. This is the kind of sets that Saints

want to put together. They came back with another pass play that is

asking a lot of questions of this Leeds team. The Leeds defenders are

closing in quickly, four of them. Because the Leeds defence is so

difficult to break down, that is why it is important on the last tackle

to make sure that you try to get something from that kick, because

the defence is so solid. Ryan Hall is doing a job today. He is a

runaway truck today. Peacock brushes off Greg Richards

and says, there you are, younger man, that is what it means to play

rugby! A few half breaks, a few tackles falling off.

That is not a bad kick. That is where Saint Helens have a start. The

players are struggling to get behind and play the ball.

Nine minutes of the first half remaining.

Zac Hardaker looks for gaps in the line but doesn't find any way. Great

athleticism from Kallum Watkins. I love those fights. I don't literally

mean fights, but when they wrestle. They are like two stags going at

each other. What is it with you and stags? I was watching National

Geographic last night! What are you going on about? I am

busy watching the game. He is saying that I am talking about stags too

much. He is having a pop at me because I keep mentioning them.

Don't underestimate the power of the metaphor. This week was

Shakespeare's birthday. Metaphor comes to the fore.

Soliola has been a testing presence.

Certain players in certain teams go unnoticed for a couple of seasons

and then suddenly everybody starts to realise how hard they work and

what a great job they do. Here comes a Soliola. Soliola has ripped

through! Here they come again. A great

tackle. Had to make it, picked him out, nailed him.

Ryan Hall again. He made a decision, had to make that tackle, great play

by Ryan Hall once again. The minute you tight -- take your

eye off anything, somebody makes a break. Soliola just made a break.

Don't take your eyes off this one. The point I was making before, Josh

Jones, he is that kind of player. He is a real engine.

The referee says he has lost it here, not stolen, lost it.

He was being dragged into touch. A big mistake. Hit the ground, he did

not have to throw that in. He did not have to throw that pass. He

panicked and now a big opportunity, good field position for Leeds. Only

a few minutes remaining. That has gone quickly.

Terrific! Terrific I Ryan Hall. Zac Hardaker will finish as a result.

Hats off to Ryan Hall again. Zac Hardaker is in for his second. It is

the winger what made it. It was the winger he made a mistake and a

winger who makes it. You cannot fall off tackles with

this Leeds side. Straight from the scrum again. Hardaker skips come a

great pass from noon, and Ryan Hall beats two people. Hardaker is

backing up his own play from the inside after noon. -- Moon. Jones

misses the tackle, which was a crucial one. He saw the tackle

coming and he rode, Josh Jones. Unnecessary play by Tom Makinson. He

did not have to panic, just to hold on to it. They should have been up

in the Leeds half. They put themselves under pressure just

before half-time. Kevin Sinfield lusty stick the knife into Saint

Helens. This is the 18th consecutive match against Saint Helens in which

he has scored against them. This will be his second goal, if he

puts it over. That is good. That is good. It is

two out of two for Kevin Sinfield. It is a 12-6 advantage to Leeds. A

very good spin and finish by Hardaker. Ryan Hall has been the

difference between the two teams. I think he has. He is like an extra

forward. He carries the ball so well. He comes up with tackles. He

has made a difference. 90 seconds under in list first

half. Saints have got to concentrate, because Leeds will try

to get something before half-time again.

This will go up, last one. Jordan Turner catches safely enough.

Big hits going in. Greg Richards is finding it a tough afternoon.

A lack of communication between the kicker and the chase, the chase was

not good. It was easy to Tom Briscoe. The hooter sounds, the

referee will blow his whistle. It has been a pretty good first half

between two top degree sides. The two tries from Zak Hardaker have

made the difference, Leeds Rhinos leading at half-time.

What was the difference in the first half? Leeds Rhinos played well, we

did not have the best of starts, but we clawed our way back in. Kevin, a

sigh of relief to have your noses in front? A little bit, quite icky

errors, characteristic of us of light. St Helens have been similar.

Whoever has a good start to the second half will go on and win, I

think. Kevin Sinfield saying they had made

some errors, but they have dominated the possession. And territory.

And yet the gap between them is just the six points. I do not know how St

Helens are still in it. It has taken a lot of energy out of them. A poor

start to the game, but Leeds Rhinos are playing pretty well. Nathan

Brown can take comfort from the fact there is only six points difference.

Yes, he would have wanted to see a great start from his team. They

spilled the ball. Error after error. In that whole first half, they only

had one ball in the opposition 22. That shows the difference between

the teams. You have both mentioned the start, and Nathan Brown said,

our stocks are a big issue. Our first contribution is always an

error. This is the third game on the trot they have done this. It is very

disappointing. This is where you need the biggest start, you want to

get on the front foot. It is thinking about the collision, where

to run. Kylie Leuluai has fallen over. It is a lack of concentration,

you need to be smarter. Once you start making errors, will that be in

the minds of the players? In this game, there is a lot of emotional

energy anyway, it is the Challenge Cup, you only have one chance, so

you are already tense. That ever burned a lot of juice out of you.

Within the first set, you are tired, and that can compound the error is,

it makes the opening five or ten minutes very difficult. Zak Hardaker

has got both tries for Leeds Rhinos, but St Helens have had a

hand in both. Rob borrowed -- Rob Burrow goes for the hammer it skims

the back of his head. It is on the key, but because he leads to ground,

he is making a play. You can see here, Mark Percival has to make a

decision. He comes in on Mitch Achurch and allows a free one. The

momentum gets him over the try-line. That is the difference between the

teams. Two errors back-to-back. If Tom Makinson had held onto that, it

could have been a different story. Yes, it would have been their

penalty. Ryan Hall is killing it, this game, so far. Zak Hardaker is

always in the right position. As he skips across the field as well, they

are playing with confidence. Ryan Hall beats four tacklers, and he has

the presence of mind to off-load the ball back into the middle, where Zak

Hardaker is pushing up. The back three have been decent for Leeds

Rhinos. Both defensively and offensively. If you give Ryan Hall

the ball, he will cause the opposition problems. Ryan Hall is a

big man. It is like having a front row on your wing that can run the

100 in under ten seconds. He has got great balance. Josh Jones is a big

bloke as well. He has finished on his front. Defensively, he makes the

right decisions. As a winger, he had to get to him. Is it like tackling a

forward? It is tackling a forward. He is huge. Look at his biceps! He

knew the camera was on him. He is a smart bloke, he makes the right

decisions, he knows what he is doing, he calls for the kick, and he

does the small things right. Leeds Rhinos have been impressive

defensively, so St Helens need to take any opportunity they have been

getting. The Adam Swift try was virtually their first opportunity.

Leeds Rhinos are giving them absolutely nothing, but they will

take any opportunities. Danny McGuire comes in on Sia Soliola,

leaving Mark Percival in space. Adam Swift has to leave the ground to

keep the ball behind him, which shows his speed. Wingers want the

ball in front of them so they can maintain the cadence of their run.

But he still has the ability, and he is swift enough to get to the

try-line. I am not sure whether I will forgive that pun! But if you

get it slightly behind you, it checks your momentum. Yes, if you

stayed down there, you have to wrench back, so just leave the

ground, it gives you a second in the egg, but you have to kick off again.

He was quick enough to get to the try-line. You are fighting the pun!

We spoke pre-match about the experience of Leeds Rhinos. There is

a lack of communication as well for St Helens. This is a worrying thing.

He needs to take control of what is happening. The chase is not

brilliant. But it is all staggered. They St Helens players are not

talking to each other, nobody is taking control, and you have to be

confident in the players around you. People are blaming each other

when somebody needs to grab hold of them. Nothing drives a forward pack

more crazy than the ball not being taken. Their job is to run into the

teeth of the opposition, the backs should make the ball secure. What

the boys said in, tree, Leeds Rhinos might be more comfortable under the

high ball because St Helens are allowing them to take it. They do

not want to challenge it and leave themselves exposed. Is that fair? It

is down to the kick itself, but if you are not winning the energy

battle in the first instance by dropping the ball in the first set,

it makes it hard to kick chase as well. Leeds Rhinos are very

professional. Let's look at the contrast in Zak Hardaker and Jonny

Lomax. We looked at them as a head-to-head at the start.

This has been the best battle of the game. Jonny Lomax slightly behind.

It is off the back of the tries, but also the lack of communication and

the drop balls at the back. Zak Hardaker is getting over the top

because he has scored two tries, but he is getting time and space to play

in. The Leeds Rhinos pack are busting up the St Helens defensive

line. Everything that is coming at Jonny Lomax, he has players in his

face. On the opposite side, Zak Hardaker has the space, he has got

time to make sure that he can get some space. That gives you

confidence. They need to limit Zak Hardaker's space? Definitely. When

it gets out into space, that is probably his only error. This pass

on the outside, through the middle, imposition. This is his second try

again. That is what a fullback is supposed to do, release and follow.

80% of their tries, of the backing of somebody else's good work. The

scoreline backs up what was being said on the Twitter vote before the

game. 64% of you thought that Leeds Rhinos would win. We want your views

now. We will be on the red button from

4:30pm until 5pm. If what you have seen this afternoon

has made you want to get involved in rugby league at any level, go to the

BBC website. The second half is moment away. The

last time Leeds Rhinos won the Challenge Cup was in 1999, they have

been in six finals since, we look back at one of their close shaves.

2003, with Wembley being rebuilt, the fourth Challenge Cup final to be

played at a rugby union ground took place at the Millennium Stadium in

Cardiff between the Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos. Bradford leaking

out a narrow victory, 22-20, but how they were nearly beaten in that

final nine or ten minutes, but for the vigorous defence of the Bradford

Bulls. With seven minutes to play, there were only two points the

difference. Leeds were offered a penalty. Kevin Sinfield had the

choice, go for goal and make a draw. I am sure he would have kicked the

goal. Or, more ambitious, seven minutes to play, attacking on the

Bradford line, go for a try. They did. He never went for goal, he

never scored a try, and Radford clinched the game in this final

minutes. The Leeds players are ready to come

out for the second half. Let's talk to a man who has been in the lead

changing room, he has also been in the St Helens changing room, and he

won three Challenge Cup 's with Wigan.

What do you make of this game? It has been a great game, very even.

Anybody could win the game today. Do you pick sides? Since I played with

Paul Wellens, and he is still playing, I will have to go for St

Helens today. But it could be anybody's. You must have amazing

memories of this tournament. It has got a special place in anybody's

heart in England, just to have played in one is awesome. For me,

probably the first one, you never forget it, in 1987 against Halifax.

I hold dear. It was such a dominant Wigan team then. Yes, we had a great

side, we were Nicky cups. We won all four, it was awesome. How would you

have described yourself as a player? You can look back now and

said, I wish I had been more consistent, but hey! They make named

Judy beast, you think the players are getting bigger and stronger. You

look at the Polynesian boys in New Zealand, on the islands, you can get

them over six foot four, six and five at 14 or 15, it is pretty

scary. I would not have liked to have run at them! How will this go

in the second half? Saints could do some damage, but

Leeds are playing very well. Ryan Hall on the wind is killing it. If

they can be a bit more patient, they can win. Thank you very much.

The players may be getting bigger and stronger. Fortunately, the

shorter I getting bigger as well. They were very tight back in those

days! I remember watching the finals back in New Zealand when I was

young, and I wanted to be like them, big shoulder pads and tiny shorts!

This was fantastic earlier, have you ever tried to do this?

No chance! There would be an earthquake if I did that. That does

not bode well funny. He has been very good in the first

half, Rob Burrow. Strictly Come Dancing so work whenever he gets the

ball. -- footwork. Rob Burrow breaks at the line. They are able to

play-off the back of it. They can release the edges. Briscoe is

devastating for Leeds and that is what Saint Helens needs to combat.

Rob Burrow is coming back out. Sit back and enjoy the second half

with Brian Noble, Jonathan Davies and Dave Woods.

Only twice in the last 14 years has a Challenge Cup final not featured

one of these teams. It is great to hear from Kevin, saying the first

one is always the most unforgettable, 1987 against Halifax.

It is 1988! The memory is going. 1987 was Saint Helens against

Halifax. I had to play against Kevin, he was massive. He had a

brother who was good as well. Here they go, Leeds get possession in

nearly stages, leading by 12-6, with 40 minutes to sort this one out in

the sunshine at Headingley. We don't get sick talking about the sunshine

at Headingley. Liam Sutcliffe was on loan to

Bradford until recently. Big things expected of him in these parts.

Good work by the forwards. Look where they have ended up once again,

into the Saint Helens half bull stop it is so much easier for the kicker

now. Lomax has to retreat towards his own line. Tom Makinson is in his

shadow. Getting out of your own heart is

really important without any errors. If you want to play possession in

percentage bubble, that is ready do it. If you are giving attacking

situations to you -- the opposition, it increases anxiety. A great

example of getting out of your own half by the Leeds team.

Both coaches are pretty happy, Brian McDermott saying keep going the way

we are. Nathan Brown said his team is doing a good job. He said he

wants more field position this half and better control of the ball. He

said it is tight and it is anybody's game. I would have said,

keep your discipline. Unnecessary high shot there, which gives Leeds

good field position. That is crucial in this game.

A good decision. It takes it beyond the converted try. They must have

been looking at the planning at the BBC. There is Kevin.

Was there a big push their? He was off-balance.

Kevin Sinfield is going to take all the time in the world with this.

1999, the last time that Leeds when the Challenge Cup. Not so much a

buying call for this generation of Leeds layers, more a haunting

reminder of Challenge Cup history being rewritten each year,

continuously, and Leeds are featuring only as a footnote each

year. Kevin Sinfield, Gary Maguire, Rob Burrow, Carl Ablett, Ryan Hall,

players to would love to add this trophy that is missing from their

cabinet, the memory banks. Gary Hetherington, the Leeds chief

executive, looking on alongside his wife, wondering if this is the

moment that Leeds edged towards a quarterfinal place.

Walsh was having running repairs in that first half, putting more

strapping on the elbow. He has been moved out towards the right in

defence. They are determined to keep him at their if they can. Needs must

for Saint Helens. Lomax with the restart.

Leuluai has had a decent game and we established a platform for the Leeds

team. Ian Kirke's 200th appearance today.

The Saint Helens defence just about reacting in time. Here comes Kevin

Sinfield with a kick, high and hanging. Taken safely by Tom

Makinson. The Leeds kick chase is well organised. This seller here is

the danger in the backfield. Having that was accidental. They are doing

a good job in getting a good field position. They have so much time for

the Leeds kickers. They have kept Mose Masoe really

quiet. Joe Greenwood for Saint Helens has

taken them just inside Leeds' territory.

Plenty to come this afternoon, plenty of Rugby League left in this

match, but also the red button once we have finished. You can contact us

on Facebook. The draw is at 6:30pm on the BBC News Channel on Monday

evening. While we are putting things, on BBC 5 Live tomorrow, we

will have full commentary of the match between Salford and Widnes am

as well as all the other matches. Great colour defence from Jon

Wilkin. Yes, they should have gone left. They have got the numbers

here. And Moon is over. Leeds rips right through the middle. They find

the gaps in the edges to confirm their dominant situation. 18-6.

Great plague by Sinfield and Maguire.

A brilliant, brilliant try, great team effort by Leeds. Just watch

them pay, roll it back, and then the outside. I thought he had gone the

wrong way, then. But don't panic. They realise that the defence is

scattered, and they just go down the left-hand side. Again, it is just

Josh Jones staying off. Great with on the shift here.

The shift after they break was particularly good. But also, Tom

Makinson had to scramble back and make the tackle on Rob Burrow, and

then they were short on the left-hand side and cleverly worked

it that way. Kevin Sinfield for the touchline.

Leeds have only conceded one try in each of their last format games,

conceding an average of only eight points every game this season, and

that is the size of the task ahead of Saint Helens now. They have to

penetrate the least penetrable defence in rugby League, and they

have to do it several times, because this kick takes it to 20-6 into the

second half. Saints have to score next to keep

this game alive. If they are looking for inspiration, it is the meeting

between eating backsides in the Super League a couple of months ago,

Wayne -- when Saint Helens one. They have to throw caution to the

wind and throw in a few off-loads, because they are not challenging

this Leeds defence. A really efficient job that Leeds

are doing at the moment. Saint Helens start from there with

the old of their forwards struggling to get behind. Someone has got to do

something just to spark this aside up. The writing has been on the

wall. They have just got through against Huddersfield. A penalty

year. You sometimes need a break or a

penalty. It is important they keep their focus and showed their

offensive prowess. How can you sum up this game in four words? That is

the question we are asking you for the forum. A penalty for St Helens,

another of those decisions, when it goes your way, you think there might

be a way back into the game. Leeds Rhinos have been making a

speciality of this, hanging on in situations like this. Have St Helens

got the creativity to find a way through? Josh Jones scores! They

have went's they have found a way back! Such a simple try. A late ball

to Josh Jones, and the gap opens up to him.

The Leeds Rhinos defence goes soft momentarily. That is on the back of

two penalties. Kyle a Moore has brought some vigour. He scores right

at the line, Liam Sutcliffe does not pay any attention. He holds, the

double pump, one goes in, one goes out, the gap opens up, very good

play. Simple, simple play, but effective. Hit straight back. Luke

Walsh, the man whose drop goal drag St Helens here in the first race,

that puts them back to within two scores.

He thinks he is playing out of the back, he will not score an easy one.

Liam Sutcliffe over read the play, but very good play from St Helens.

So simple. St Helens have got their dander up.

A sudden influx of self belief. No mistakes, and if nothing comes from

it... Kyle Amor is heard. A couple of

decisions have gone the way of St Helens. They still keep possession.

That does not look good for two. I am not sure what he did. He got his

knee in the wrong place. Somebody jumps off him. He is lucky he did

not break his leg, that is one good thing. He got himself in a very

awkward position, and the Leeds Rhinos player fell on him. I hope he

is OK. Just watch the right foot. The ball goes down, he steps to get

away from the ball, then the weight comes down. He is so lucky he did

not break his leg, I just hope he is OK. He has had his injury problems

this year. He is clearly in a good deal of discomfort. What news over

their? It is not looking good for him. He

is a tough guy, hopefully he will stand up and carry on. How can you

get back into this? How do they finish this off? It is about

building pressure. Leeds Rhinos are a tough side, they know how to play.

It is about getting our share of ball and then we will be OK. You

have won so many games in the last couple of minutes, does that give

you even more confidence? I guess so. We did not do as well as we

would have liked over Easter, but the game is not finished until the

whistle is blown. Is it tough for you to sit and watch? Definitely,

but hopefully I will be back shortly.

Kyle Amor is coming off. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is coming on. It

is not worth risking that. It is a shame, because he has made a

difference. Paul Wellens is on the field. Stick it up in the air, a

good chase. I do not understand that cake. It is not an up and under or a

chip. You let the wind take it and have a really good chase.

The home side are not as comfortable as they were three or form in its

ago. Leeds Rhinos have had some reward

down the right-hand side. These little incidents... He is not happy,

Jamie Peacock. He will not change his mind. Seven errors from Leeds

Rhinos. The stats sometimes lie. Errors

made, but with Leeds Rhinos, it is on the back of risks taken.

I am not sure who he obstructed, but those are the rules. The penalty

goes to Leeds Rhinos. It is nothing, really. The defender is not going to

get to Jon Wilkin will stop --. If you run behind somebody, it is

deemed to be an obstruction. The referees have taken to the letter of

the law. As a player, you think there is nothing wrong. There has to

be common sense sometimes. It is the beauty of the Challenge

Cup, they are battling for a place in the quarterfinals, as are Swinton

and Keighley, the big ones and the little ones, all in the mix

together. Leeds Rhinos do the basics so well,

they good -- they get good drives, a good kick, a good chasing tackle.

They do not force anything. They do the plays and scored tries, it is so

simple and effective. The Leeds Rhinos defence have handled James

Roby well. He was wondering, what am I doing

here? That is what they have to do now, the Leeds Rhinos defence have

been so good. They have to score more points than Leeds Rhinos than

anybody else has achieved this season. They have to do the chips,

they have to do the off-loads. The other problem is, in this position,

they have to defend really well. I think Leeds Rhinos will score some

more points. An awful lot of game time to go. Anything could happen.

That is a better chase. That is the difference. James Roby takes the

game to Kevin Sinfield. He relieve the pressure of the fullback.

Jordan Turner is hurt, he might have gone over on his ankle. James Roby

sticks it out of play. There is plenty of time, but the St Helens

kicking strategy, they need to create opportunities for themselves.

Kicking a sideline at this stage might take the pressure off the

Leeds Rhinos team. If you are just rolling the ball into touch, you are

handing the ball over to Leeds Rhinos. They are making BEC yardage.

They have to do something different. Tanya, what news?

They have not written him off completely, they will leave him five

to ten minutes, but he has a large ice pack strapped to his leg. We

might see him back. Brad Singleton is interesting, he

has conceded penalties for shoulder charges in the last couple of games.

Standing up to the bigger, older fellas in no uncertain terms.

St Helens need a bit of glory, quickly. Great play again from Rob

Burrow, closing the space down. A good tackle. Luke Walsh has gone

over, and St Helens' interest ends. Rob Burrow is injured. He has

injured his shoulder. He is having treatment on the far side.

Rob Burrow is hurt. I think he's going off.

But Sinfield into dummy half, I would think.

Danny McGuire has glorious memories of playing at St Helens.

Well played, but you can see their tactics. Everything is going to go

up in the air. Legs have gone up above the

perpendicular. Why do that? He had the tackle, why tipping? It is a

no-brainer, that one. He nearly had him on the nose! Be careful.

Somebody's got blood on their face. Taking out the back and clean him

up. What is the latest news on the injury front? Rob Burrow took a bang

on the point of his shoulder, but hopefully it is not dislocated, even

though he came off in a lot of pain. Ryan Hall is the immovable force on

the left-hand side for Leeds. He ran into a brick wall in Tom Makinson

and lost possession. They went to early. It was Turner who had to take

the tackle there. He goes down. They have to create an opportunity

against a good offence, so you will chance your arm. 14 minutes to go.

They have not been down this end of the field too much, so they might

consider it. You have got to chase the kicker. A

brilliant state, that is. A clash of heads there between Paul

Wellens Adam Swift. -- and Swift. James Roby is trying to make things

happen, but they simply are not, not from dummy half. Ryan Hall is so

solid, absolutely solid. He takes it and comes down like a ruck. Leeds

again moving away from their own line full of they have an assurance

and a confidence of an 8-point lead as time ticks by. 11.5 minutes to

play. St Helens' defenders rushing out

there to make sure progresses kept to a minimum.

That is the difference. Look where they had the kick from. No pressure

on Lomax, no chance to run it out. Good tackle.

It is like a game of chess now. Muscular chest.

A great kick. There are moments in matches, moments in matches that you

look back on at the end of the cup campaign and say, that is when our

looks turned, and you just wonder. That is why it is important to keep

someone like Luke Walsh on the field, for moments like that.

Fortunate in the end, because Zak Hardaker did exceptionally well to

get over there, but the bounce of the ball favoured St Helens. A big

set of six, not only in this match, but in this competition this year.

The status of these two sides, whoever wins today will be installed

as favourites. Do you think so? Leeds are doing what Leeds do best

at the moment, defending their line. They are not a soft touch.

Three tackles gone, James Roby spinning it out to Walsh.

Ryan Hall is there again. That is the anthem of the game.

He has lost it. You just wonder whether St Helens have lost it now.

Leeds hang gone on a big set of six. The two bigger players, those were

the opportunities, Luke Walsh slipped over twice.

Not exactly a look of resignation from Nathan Brown, but certainly one

of frustration. Leeds will be looking for good

yardage and a good kick. Has he gone behind him? He reckons

he did. The referee is consistent. Would he have taken a penalty kick

their -- there? Picked up why Zak Hardaker. They

have to score the two points again. Ryan Hall is blistering today. Every

aspect of his game has been tiptop. Here is Peacock leading by example.

Leeds might have a comfortable margin, but it is less than

comfortable in terms of the muscular chest that is going on. It is going

to be finished by Danny McGuire. How many times has Danny McGuire slipped

into the ribs of St Helens? He has just it again. Leeds bathroom to the

quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup. Danny McGuire with the finisher.

That is the prowess of the Leeds backline. A mistake from Mose Masoe

that gives Leeds the advantage. McGuire releases Hardaker and gets

on the outside. Kallum Watkins runs straight through. McGuire finishes

his own play that he started way back on their own 40. Kallum Watkins

has kept it quiet, but this is how good he is. He has a chance. He

brushes off to back tacklers. Game over.

Danny McGuire had a decisive try in 2003 that helped a cup tie go to

extra time. Danny McGuire with a late drop goal that beat St Helens

in the Super League play-offs last year. His 250th try was scored

against St Helens. And today he scores a try that N Sync Helens

Bhopes for another years. St Helens had their hopes. Luke Walsh slipped

twice. Overall, I think they have been the better side. They made a

few errors, but very, very effective.

There it goes. It is like one of those boxing matches. They could not

quite land the delivery, and then all of a sudden, a great

counterpunch. Kallum Watkins brushes off personal and Swift and McGuire

finishes off the play that he started. We have five minutes to

play. Man of the match? Ablett has played well, but the man of the

match is Ryan Hall for me. He has been tremendous. We are so used to

him scoring tries. The work he has done has been immense in this half.

Ablett has played well as well. He has caused a lot of problemss on the

left-hand side. They are directing the kick out of

play, worked on, and making St Helens do some hard work from deep

inside their own ten metres. This is not defining the season for St

Helens, but it is defining the Challenge Cup, because they are out

of it now. Three weeks on the bounce. They have had injuries. They

are a bit healthier. At times in this game, sometimes it is the

bounce of the ball or a penalty decision or some loose play, and it

makes the difference between winning and losing, and losing can become

habit. Luke Walsh has been hindered by that arm and has not been so

effective. But you can't take anything away from Leeds.

Leeds are in the mood for another one here. Someone has taken a

headshot. It is Jon Wilkin. He has

overextended his right leg. Nathan Brown knows it will not be

his year. Whoever you are a fan of, join us for the red button forum

when this has finished. Jamie Peacock will be joining us. As well

of -- as all of your favourite. I am not involved.

He grabs the moment of glory, Jamie Peacock, his penultimate year. More

than most, he will hope it will be a Wembley crescendo to 2014. He has

got the crescendo moment this afternoon, with a big rain. He had

worked tirelessly through the game. A lovely left foot step, and he

dives over. You mentioned Jamie Peacock, and there he is, on cue. A

great score. He saw the gap, he was not going to be denied. He has

carried the ball really strongly today. There is the finish. Greg

Richards moves a bit too far, he leaves the inside gate open for him.

He steps in. Jamie Peacock, MBE, to give him his

full title. The former Bradford Bulls team-mate of Brian McDermott

when they enjoyed wimpy success. Kevin Sinfield looking to give Leeds

a 32-12 lead. The scoreline does not matter in the Challenge Cup, you are

either in or out. If the score on fair on St Helens? With the Danny

McGuire try was in, that was it, and St Helens but that was it. They

dropped the intensity defensively a bit. As Brian McDermott said, they

can score tries. They are hoping there is a way back, there isn't,

but they will keep playing. A bit of spirit in the camp, they are looking

to force the referee to stop the clock. St Helens only need four

tries in the last 45 seconds! I'm not sure that is possible!

St Helens are looking to go down fighting here.

Lots of bodies and hands there. Sia Soliola has knocked on. I do not

think even St Helens will bother packing down. That is it, game over.

It was over when Danny McGuire scored the try in the 75th minute.

The high-fives from Leeds Rhinos. Leeds Rhinos go through to the

quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup. That is a big hurdle they have just

overcome. It is nice to get home advantage in the early rounds and

knock out one of the big contenders. A job well done. Very impressive

defensively and offensively. Solid kicking. They are going to be there

or thereabouts again. How impressed were you, Brian? I thought they were

clinical, they took their opportunities, and the way they

defended, it will take a real good team with some good ideas to break

them down. St Helens could not control the ball all get enough

possession in the right parts of the field to challenge that. Justifiable

winners for me. A tough game, they always seem to

have their noses in front, never behind at any point. And early Zak

Hardaker try cancelled out by Adam Swift, but Zak Hardaker's second was

a big psychological difference. His two tries were so important in that

first half. Congratulations, how tough was

that? Really tough, we knew it would be tough, it is a really good

performance. We are chuffed to get through. How pleasing for you to pop

up with another two tries? It is always good, but the important thing

was to get the victory. What do you put your good form down to? A bit of

hard work and determination. Everybody is trying to do their

best, and hopefully that will take us to some finals again. The defence

what magnificent, has that been a key focus? It has been good all

year. The average number points we concede is between eight and ten, so

that is good. Credit to all the boys, we are thrilled to get through

to the next round. Congratulations, let's bring in the man of the match,

Ryan Hall. I have interviewed you many a time when you have scored

brilliant tries, Patrick 's, is it nicer to get one for your defensive

work? Whether I score or not, it does not matter. The main thing is

that we won, we are through to the next round, that is a great feeling,

against a top side. We knew it would be a tough game, we are happy to be

in the pot for the next round. How focused were you on what Tom

Makinson did to do in your one defeat this season? He is having a

good year, he has put his name forward for an England shirt, which

is really good. I always like to play well against potential England

contenders. Thank you very much, let's bring in the skipper. You must

be delighted with what was a real all-round team performance. Very

pleased, it was tough at times, St Helens did not give him. There were

some nervy moments, I am delighted to be in the next round, they are a

really good side. Really happy to get the victory. He talked about

cutting out the errors, was that the focus for the second half? Pretty

much, we had a decent game plan, and if you do not keep older of the

ball, you cannot execute it. There were some errors, St Helens have a

real go, a great game today. Once again, it has been the defence that

has been the key. It is the commitment to work hard for each

other, we have not changed anything since Brian McDermott has been here.

We are scrambling well for each other, we seem to have a bit more

control. Areas for us to work on, but to only concede 12 points

against St Helens is pleasing. How much does the Challenge Cup mean? We

have had a queue goes now. We keep coming up short. We are in the next

round, we will give it our best shot, like we have done every other

year. Congratulations. Plenty more reaction to come now,

and also on the red button. We will be on the red button until

5pm, and plenty of fifth round ties tomorrow.

Clinical, ruthless, dominant in the end? Yes, I used the word

professional, Leeds Rhinos do a job just about every time. Today was no

exception. I really enjoyed what they did. St Helens were getting

back into it, but two going off was a massive moment. We will start with

Joel Moon's try. Great build-up play. You can see him coming off his

line. He releases Carl Ablett. The St Helens defenders scrambling back.

Rob Burrow does his job well. He keeps on going, and what you have

here, the St Helens players rushing towards the ball. Kevin Sinfield did

some brilliant lead up work, and it is a two on one with Joel Moon on

the outside. Joel Moon backs himself one-on-one with the try-line

beckoning. It is a great lead up. On the back of really good work. Joel

Moon going over, his centre partner was instrumental, in Danny

McGuire's try. Ridiculous skill, Kallum Watkins, he thinks, I am

going for this. He has got great support. Danny McGuire has scored

tonnes of tries from doing this on a regular occasion. Put his head down,

goes for it, and great support. Adam Swift and Mark Percival took each

other out. Kallum Watkins was so quick and strong. Jamie Peacock

hitting the final try, he will join us on the red button. Tweet us if

you want to get involved. Nathan Brown is with Tanya.

What was the difference today? We had some really good opportunities

at 20-12. Some good different from them, and not so good attack by us,

we were not quite good enough to bridge the back -- which the gap.

There was not a great deal in the game at times, we had a couple of

lapses on two or three occasions, and when you have that against Leeds

Rhinos, with their speed, you make a mistake and they punish you. Our

defence was not that good -- as good as it needed to be. A couple of

injuries as well. Things have not been great, we are more result -- we

are more concerned about the result of the game at the moment. They were

too good for us today, we have got a fair bit of work today.

Plenty more reaction on the red button. We will be here. Leeds

Rhinos are one step closer to another Challenge Cup final. We will

see you for the quarterfinals at the beginning of June, goodbye.

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