HOWEVER long he ends up staying with St Helens, Bill Leyland is assured of a place in the club’s history after his late double in the Good Friday derby win over Wigan Warriors.
The hooker and prop Jordan Dezaria only joined on short-term loans from Hull KR on Tuesday to bolster a Saints squad missing 12 players, and barely got time to get up to speed with their new team before being thrown straight into the heat of one of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries.
But two tries from Leyland inside the final three minutes saw St Helens complete a stunning comeback from 24-10 down with just over 10 minutes left to triumph 34-24 in the clash at BrewDog stadium, with Tristan Sailor lavishing praise on the 23-year-old.
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“Billy Leyland, on debut, really provided for us,” Sailor, who also grabbed a 75th-minute try and kicked five goals, told BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
“[Leyland and Dezaria] came on the captain’s run, but that was the first time we met them and obviously Billy plays a very pivotal role and had to learn all of the plays and the shape.
“But he did what he did best – he’s a runner and he competes, and to win this Good Friday match is something which will go down in history.”
Wigan led 12-10 at the break thanks to converted tries from Harry Smith and Jack Farrimond, with Matt Whitley and Daryl Clark crossing the whitewash for a St Helens team thrashed 52-10 by reigning champions Hull KR last week.
Jai Field – making his Wigan return after appendicitis – and Zack Eckersley’s second-half tries plus five goals from Adam Keighran looked to have put the game beyond the hosts.
But a try from Jackson Hastings eight minutes from time sparked a stunning comeback which put Saints third in the Super League table behind Wigan on points difference, while Sailor also hailed the impact of head coach Paul Rowley.
“It’s the most intent I’ve seen Rowls have, and it really inspired us to do what we did,” Sailor said.
“It’s so special. We just wanted to compete and to have the people we have out, all sort of leaders who have been in these games.
“To do it the way we did, it’s just amazing.”