Leeds celebrate a deserved win in the Grand Final at Old Trafford
Leeds Rhinos ensured Tony Smith's last game as coach ended with a Grand Final victory over defending champions St Helens at Old Trafford.
The Rhinos led 8-6 at the break after a tough first half in which Brent Webb had put Leeds ahead before James Roby finished a superb break for Saints.
But Leeds scored two tries in as many decisive minutes after the resumption through Ali Lauitiiti and Scott Donald.
Lee Smith and Jamie Jones-Buchanan then scored as Leeds secured a deserved win.
The Grand Final was the third of Tony Smith's career as Leeds coach and the victory ensures he leaves the club with two triumphs at Old Trafford.
It was a deserved victory for the Rhinos, who had finished the regular season second to Saints but were undoubtedly the superior team when it mattered most.
Leeds defended with immense physicality in the opening half and showed a willingness to run the ball when in attack, particularly through Harry Sunderland man of the match winner Rob Burrow.
The Rhinos also showed excellent composure in possession - a facet of the game that was uncharacteristically poor from St Helens, who was ran out of steam after a long and draining season.
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