An uncharacteristically slapdash first half – particularly in defence - effectively handed Leeds the spoils losing 41-16 in the top versus second clash at Langtree Park.

Saints, who had been one of the best defensive sides in the competition up to tonight, were routinely opened up down the middle on a number of occasions and went in trailing 28-6 at the break.

Although the second half was much better, and at one point they cut the deficit to two scores, it was all too little too late to make a difference.

Against a Leeds side that were on song, Saints could not afford to have so many players producing off-colour, inadequate performances.

If there was a silver lining it came in the debut display of young wing Matty Fleming who handled all the high balls that came his way competently and showed confidence in clearing the lines.

And there was also another vision of what life will be like when Travis Burns and Luke Walsh click together.

Alas, by the time they paired up the game was already as good as over and done.

The night started badly for Saints soon after Jamie Peacock’s high shot on Alex Walmsley had earned a penalty.

As they pressed the Leeds line centre Josh Jones’ tip-on was intercepted by wing Ash Handley, who showed a clean pair of heels to touch down after three minutes with Liam Sutcliffe adding the goal.

Saints’ attempts to get back in the game and post a response were hindered by some panicky passing and hampered by a series of unforced handling errors with Jon Wilkin, Mark Flanagan and Adam Swift all knocking on.

It meant that Leeds were gifted easy ball and could pile on the pressure – and although Saints initially kept their line intact the pressure finally told.

It took a classy piece of Leeds play to unpick the defence, with Saints’ Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook initially harassing the visitors’ ball carriers.

However, it simply meant centre Joel Moon could attack from deep, where he left a couple of players behind before slipping the ball for Handley to go in unopposed.

Sutcliffe added the goal to make it 12-0, but the Rhinos were on the rampage.

For the first time in a long while Saints were cut open up middle and Zak Hardaker polished off another long-range effort, with Sutcliffe’s goal making it 18-0.

A powerful burst from Carl Ablett caught Saints out at marker and his break was polished off by Danny McGuire from half way, with Kevin Sinfield slotting the goal to make it 24-0 after 28 minutes.

But Saints got the faintest of toe-holds back in the game when Tommy Makinson managed to touch down Wilkin’s kick, with Travis Burns goaling.

But Leeds had the last word of the half when Kallum Watkins intercepted Makinson’s to race downfield. Although he was halted, the ball was chipped wide for Handley to collect and complete his hat-track.

Saints threw on Luke Walsh at half time and the scrum half pepped up play and gave their attack more structure.

It was a long ball from Walsh long ball that started the second half ball rolling, with Jordan Turner collecting to cross for an unconverted try.

Saints piled on the pressure and Hardaker and Peacock just managed to foil Burns on line. Minutes later Mose Masoe’s strong surge was also stopped on the Leeds try line.

On the hour mark a Walsh kick struck gold when his high punt was collected and touched down by Turner, with Burns’ goal cutting the deficit to 16-28.

But that was as good as it got for a Saints team that had to chase the game in the last 15 minutes.

Leeds stand off Sutcliffe capped an outstanding game when he darted through to secure it, with Sinfield adding the goal and then a drop goal.

And with the hooter about to sound, Leeds added another a try when Moon dashed in to complete the rout.

Saints: Tommy Makinson; Matty Fleming, Jordan Turner, Josh Jones, Adam Swift; Travis Burns, Jon Wilkin; Kyle Amor, James Roby, Alex Walmsley, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Mark Flanagan, Luke Thompson.

Subs: Luke Walsh, Mose Masoe, Greg Richards, Andre Savelio.

Leeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker; Kallum Watkins, Carl Ablett, Joel Moon, Ash Handley; Liam Sutcliffe, Danny McGuire; Adam Cuthbertson, Paul Aiton, Jamie Peacock,. Stevie Ward,. Brett Delaney, Brad Singleton.

Subs: Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield, Mitch Achurch, Andy Yates.