Leicester Huntsmen 27

St Helens Cardinals 13 DIVISION leaders Leicester Huntsmen completed the double over the Cardinals and made the St Helens chances of a play-off spot much harder.

In a game dominated by both defensive units, Leicester took full advantage of mistakes by the Cardinals.

Returning an interception and a Cardinal fumble for touchdowns the Huntsmen opened up a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

It was just as well that their defence had scored, with Orlando Holman tackling anything that moved and Gary Barlow and Brian Buckley weighing in with sacks on the Leicester quarterback.

The St Helens offence then began to hit something like form.

A 10-play 84-yard drive ended with Paul Fallons two-yard run to make it 14-7.

The third quarter was scoreless as defences again took the upper hand, but two dubious calls by the officials set Leicester up at the St Helens six-yard line going into the fourth period.

Gary Patterson took full advantage, going over for Leicester on the third play of the quarter restoring the Huntsmens 14-point cushion.

St Helens replied quickly, though at one point the drive appeared to have stalled and De Marco was forced to punt for St Helens.

Leicesters kick-returner was met by a crunching hit from Holman, the ball popped loose and Tony McKibbon recovered it for St Helens at Leicesters 27 yard-line. Four plays later DeMarco caught Paul Fallons pass in the corner of the endzone and the Cardinals were back in it.

Neither side were able to move the ball on their next two possessions and with time running out St Helens had one last chance with the ball on their own 18 yard line.

However for once the Leicester defence got through Paul Fallon was hit in mid-stride, the ball broke from the QB's grasp and Leicester pounced on the free ball at St Helens two.

Patterson again took advantage and though McKibbon blocked the conversion attempt the Huntsmen rounded off the scoring .

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