St Helens defeated Huddersfield 15-2 on Saturday to join defending champions Leeds in the Super League semi-finals, leaving them just 80 minutes away from a fourth successive grand final. Saints had lost to Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup semi-finals but they were on top in the play-offs, running in three tries in the first 21 minutes. Leon Pryce, Tony Puletua and Francis Meli scored St Helens' tries while Huddersfield failed to score a try for the first time in 14 months.
Wakefield became the first side to bow out of the play-offs as Catalans Dragons prevailed 25-16 in their elimination play-off . Dimitri Pelo (2), Olivier Elima and Vincent Duport scored for the Dragons while Luke George (2) and Ryan Atkins crossed for Wakefield. On Friday, Leeds ran in eight tries to see off Hull KR 44-8 to move into the semi-finals. Leeds were only 10-8 ahead at the break before scoring 34 unanswered points as Hull KR wilted.
Lee Smith and Ali Lauitiiti both scored tries, with Keith Senior, Ryan Hall, Brent Webb and Jamie Peacock also crossing for Leeds. In a revolutionary new play-off system, Leeds, by virtue of finishing top, will get the chance to choose their semi-final opponents while Hull KR will have another chance after being the highest ranked elimination play-off loser. * Agencies
