Champions Leeds consolidated top spot in the engage Super League with a precious victory over St Helens in an energy-sapping Grand Final re-match at a rainswept Knowsley Road.

Saints are now six points behind their arch rivals after going down to a third defeat in their last four matches but they pushed the leaders all the way in a gruelling contest.

The Rhinos, who were without four members of their victorious Grand Final squad, were forced to shrug off another blow when they lost stand-off Danny McGuire with a quadricep injury after only 10 minutes.

Conditions were a far cry from Old Trafford in October as St Helens sought to avenge their 33-6 defeat and, after all their recent injury troubles, they were able to field all but two of their Grand Final squad with the return of Kiwi prop Jason Cayless.

The champions arrived at Knowsley Road on the crest of a wave after scoring 122 points in their three previous matches, but they were restricted to a solitary try by half-time after playing into the driving rain.

Saints had two tries disallowed by video referee Phil Bentham but trailed by just two points at the interval thanks to three penalty goals from Sean Long, and would have been in front but for another two misses by the scrum-half.

Leeds managed to dominate the opening exchanges and took the lead when skipper Kevin Sinfield extended his scoring run to 51 successive matches with a ninth-minute penalty.

Long then edged his side ahead with two well-struck goals but the visitors scored the only try of the first half after 28 minutes when second-rower Ali Lauitiiti forced his way over out wide and Sinfield converted the try.

The Leeds defence was tested when stand-off Leon Pryce worked his way to the line but was ruled to have made a double movement, while Long was also denied after he chased a kick from James Roby.

Leeds thought they had extended their lead 90 seconds into the second half when right winger Scott Donald got a touch to Rob Burrow's grubber kick to the corner but the try was ruled out by the video referee.

Saints made the most of their let off, working their way upfield and, with their best move of the match, engineered an opening for full-back Paul Wellens to slip through a gap.

It was only the second try conceded by Leeds in their last four matches.

Long was unable to combat the conditions with his difficult conversion attempt and Sinfield was also off target when he attempted a 40-metre penalty which would have tied the scores.

But there was no denying Leeds' superiority and they regained the lead on the hour when substitute prop Luke Burgess forced his way over from close range and Sinfield kicked his third goal.

Saints continued to strive for victory but Leeds demonstrated their resolve with an immense defensive display to hold out for a deserved victory.