Leeds beat Saints & Wigan thump York in Super Four

Leeds Rhinos overcame St Helens in a hard fought eleven-try thriller at the BrewDog Stadium, winning 24-34 to effectively guarantee their place in the Super Four semi-final. The Rhinos dominated the early exchanges, building a three-try lead through Ruby Walker and Connie Boyd before the Saints struck back through Luci McColm and Katie Mottershead to reduce the deficit to six. After the break, Mel Howard extended the Rhinos' lead before the Saints staged an impressive comeback. First Vicky Whitfield and then Phoebe Hook went over, with Rachael Woosey's subsequent effort putting the home side in the lead for the first time in the match. But it was not to be for the Saints. With the clock kicking down, two quick-fire tries from Howard and Ebony Stead wrestled control back for the Rhinos, who remain in touching distance of Wigan Warriors. In the day's other Super Four match, the unbeaten Warriors confirmed their status as the team to beat, demolishing York Valkyrie 44-0 at Edge Hall Road. Wigan scored five first half-tries through Megan Williams, Jenna Foubister, Molly Jones and Kelsey Gentles, with Jones' magnificent second effort from within her own half, the pick of the scores. Comprehensively outplayed, York never looked like scoring and conceded a further three tries in the second half to Ellise Derbyshire and Eva Hunter, leaving them bottom of the Super Fours after two matches played. In the Shield, Amelia Brown scored four tries as Huddersfield Giants overpowered Leigh Leopards 34-0 at Twist Lane. Elle Frain opened the scoring early on, before two scores for Brown and one for Olivia Gale. Brown then touched down twice more after the break before Georgia Cussons added late gloss. At the Speed Competitions Stadium, Barrow Raiders fell to a ninth consecutive league defeat, losing 22-14 to Featherstone Rovers. Following an encouraging opening period, the Raiders led 14-8, scoring tries through Nicole Stewart and Vanessa Temple. But they were held scoreless in the second half, with tries for Tilly Churm, Beth MacMillan and Emillie Holmes sealing the win for Rovers, as the Raiders find themselves edging closer to the promotion/relegation play-off. Next fixtures Saturday, 22 August Wigan Warriors v St Helens (14:00 BST) Sunday, 23 August Barrow Raiders v Leigh Leopards (12:00 BST) York Valkyrie v Leeds Rhinos (12:00 BST) Huddersfield Giants v Featherstone Rovers (14:00 BST)