Rhinos crushed by Saints

Leeds could still join them in the Old Trafford decider on October 4 by winning the final eliminator but they have just six days to re-group after this mauling and could be without full-back Brent Webb, who limped off on the hour with an ankle injury.

The Knowsley Road fans paid tribute at half-time to popular club captain Sculthorpe, who announced his retirement, but their team have long since learned how to win big matches without the Great Britain loose forward.

Saints produced some clinical handling after Francis Meli had been halted down the left-hand side, working the ball swiftly to the left where his fellow winger Ade Gardner took Matt Gidley's pass to cross unopposed for his 30th try of the season.

Leeds equalised after 14 minutes with Danny McGuire crossing the whitewash but Saints looked the more dangerous side and regained the lead after 22 minutes when Gidley took Keiron Cunningham's short, sharp pass to squeeze over for a try.

Sean Long, who hit an upright with his first conversion attempt, found the target from the same position and then added a penalty to open up an eight-point lead.

St Helens dominated the opening exchanges of the second half and strengthened their grip on the tie with three more tries in a devastating 10-minute spell.

Leon Pryce scythed through a strangely hesitant Leeds defence and, after standing up in the tackle, took a return pass from the supporting James Roby to combine with Willie Talau to get Meli over at the corner.

Cunningham then sent Roby over a quick-fire pair of tries, before Jon Wilkin wrapped up the win with an interception try and then raced onto Long's grubber kick to claim a second, with Long taking his goal tally to five from nine attempts.

In between Wilkin's scores, Leeds second-rower Gareth Ellis forced his way over for a solo try, with Rob Burrow adding the goal, but the champions finished a well beaten side.