Helens

Saints had won the previous five meetings between these sides, but Wakefield have continued to improve after taking sixth in their first season back in Super League last year.

They were distinctly second-best in the first half, however, and were soon undone as Owen Dagnall’s pace took them deep into Trinity territory and the power of Jake Davies did the rest, forcing his way over despite having two tacklers hanging on.

A looping pass from Jonny Lomax sent Feldt in for a sharp finish in the corner and then, after Harry Robertson had scattered the defence with a strong break, Hastings brilliantly threw a long pass out for Sailor, who accelerated through a gap to seemingly put the home side out of sight.

Paul Rowley’s side were in uncompromising mood, typified by prop Alex Walmsley charging 50 metres to chase down Oliver Pratt as the wing threatened to break away, getting a huge cheer from the home support.

The momentum of the game swung eight minutes into the second half as Saints had a try disallowed, and Wakefield went down the other end and Smoothy brushed Sailor aside to power over and get them on the scoresheet.

Saints’ sudden uncertainty showed as Jackson Hastings opted for two points from a penalty deep in opposition territory, and it looked a good decision as Corey Hall was centimetres short of another Wakefield try.

Saints began to wllt and Wakefield pressed hard, with Faatili going through a gap in the defence to close to within one converted try, but Saints held out to take the points.

Imagine being sent out on a one-week emergency loan – and the only game you stand a chance of playing in is one of the biggest of the season, against your new club’s bitter rivals.

Then imagine scoring your first Super League try, on debut, to put your side in front with three minutes left.

Then you score another try moments later, with a driving run from the halfway line, to seal the win.

And there is a reasonable chance you will never play for that club again.

That is the reality for Bill Leyland, whose sensational late double earned St Helens a sensational comeback win over Wigan Warriors in a Good Friday derby for the ages.

Leyland only joined injury-hit Saints from Hull KR earlier this week and almost did not pull on the Red Vee at all, finally taking to the field when Daryl Clark was subbed off following a head knock.

But in just over 20 minutes, Leyland made his mark, as Saints overturned a 14-point deficit to beat the Cherry and Whites by 10 points after scoring four tries in the final 10 minutes.

“It’s a pretty special debut in one of the biggest games in rugby league. To get two tries and man of the match is a pretty special feeling,” the 23-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I’m glad to go out and make an impact and bring so much joy to the fans.”

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Luckley, Whitbread, Brown, Booth.

St Helens: Robertson; Dagnall, Percival, Cross, Murphy; Sailor, Hastings; Klemmer, Wingfield, Delaney, Wright, Whitley, Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Clark, Paasi, Stephens, Davies.

Referee: Liam Moore.