Saints march on to Wembley

St Helens held off a spirited Leeds comeback to reach the Challenge Cup final with a 26-16 victory at the Galpharm Stadium.

The eagerly-awaited confrontation between the game's top two sides was a desperately one-sided affair for the first 50 minutes.

But two quickfire Leeds tries just before the hour mark at least made the game a contest, before St Helens snuffed out any hopes of a remarkable turnaround with a Bryn Hargreaves try nine minutes from the hooter.

St Helens' 16th straight win puts them one game away from a third straight Challenge Cup success, and after this win over their closest rivals they will be hot favourites to complete the domestic treble for the second time in three seasons.

Leeds defended defiantly in baking temperatures, particularly in a lop-sided first half, and were fortunate to go in just 12-2 behind, but after Frances Meli scored early in the second half, the game looked as good as settled.

Threat

The world champions had barely threatened a try while Saints' speed and power made them a constant threat from almost anywhere on the pitch.

The cup holders went ahead after seven minutes when Sean Long beat Gareth Ellis with a clever dummy, burst through the defensive line and found Chris Flannery on his shoulder to score by the posts.

Leeds were forced into almost constant defence early on and only a brave dive on a loose ball from Ryan Hall and a Leon Pryce knock-on prevented Saints going further ahead.

The Rhinos were also not helped by the loss of Rob Burrow to a head injury - he later returned - and Clinton Toopi with a damaged knee - he did not.

But they did at least get on the scoresheet on 28 minutes when Kevin Sinfield knocked over a penalty following interference at the play-the-ball.

Still Saints maintained their almost relentless pressure and they had their second try on 35 minutes as Pryce finished superbly, Long again the instigator with the final pass.

There was an air of desperation about Sinfield's decision to attempt a penalty from halfway with 40 seconds of the half remaining and the Leeds skipper duly pushed his attempt wide.

Saints' dominance continued immediately after the break and Donald had to make a try-saving tackle on Ade Gardner in the corner.

But there was to be let-off when five men missed Meli's cut-back from his left wing and Jon Wilkin was on hand to score by the posts.

Best spell

That prompted Leeds into their best spell of the match, as shortly after Donald was forced out at the corner, concerted pressure gave Ali Lauitiiti the chance to force his way over from close range.

On 58 minutes Keith Senior's pass put Donald in at the same corner and with the defict now six points, there were signs that Saints could be wilting in the heat.

But a couple of silly errors - Jamie Peacock's high shot and Lee Smith's failure to play the ball correctly - halted the Rhinos' momentum.

When Smith was guilty of a high shot 15 minutes from time, Long kicked a simple penalty to restore the two-score deficit.

Hargreaves settled it nine minutes from time, taking advantage of the gaps in a tiring defence to go over by the posts.

Kylie Leuluai's late try was testament to Leeds' unceasing efforts in baking temperatures, but by then the Saints were already heading for their now almost annual trip to the final.