Memorable full debut for Harris as the pressure gets to Goulding

There were groans of disbelief from stunned Saints fans – quickly drowned by ecstatic celebrations from their Leeds counterparts – after he somehow fluffed a last-minute conversion attempt to win a fiercely-contested encounter.

Great Britain star Goulding had scampered over for the try when tiring Leeds, who had put in a massive defensive stint, failed to deal with his kick.

Rhinos coach Dean Bell, having seen his brave side battle so hard for so long, admitted afterwards he could not bear to watch as his ex-Wigan team-mate then lined up the relatively simple extras.

However, scrum-half Goulding inexplicably hit a post to let his former club off the hook in one of the most extraordinary encounters seen at the famous ground in years.

It was not quite Don Fox but well on the way.

Leeds had never trailed after taking the lead inside two minutes with the first of Harris’s three penalties.

That was cancelled out by Goulding’s first effort but, on 14 minutes, Harris’s crossfield kick saw winger Paul Sterling score the game’s opening converted try.

Apollo Perelini responded for the visitors with Goulding levelling once more but stand-off Harris – pictured in possession and making his full debut after that massive move from Warrington Wolves – put them in front with two more penalties.

Leeds were penned inside their own 40-metre line for almost three-quarters of the second period but their resolve remained firm, led brilliantly by Anthony Farrell, who topped the tackle count while Richie Blackmore produced a stunning try-saver on Anthony Sullivan.

They escaped long enough for Harris to slot his one-pointer in the 73rd minute, the only score of the second half until Goulding’s nerve-shredding late touchdown.

Young Leeds forward Adrian Morley – playing against his brother Chris – claimed afterwards that the pressure “got to him” when asked about Goulding’s resultant missed kick and it appeared the only logical conclusion given the player’s usual reliability with the boot.

The gutsy hosts, who had lost by a single point against Wigan the previous week, deserved their slice of good fortune.

They had shown plenty of adventure and flair in previous campaigns but it was their determination which shone through on this night, a steeliness which would see them advance to the first Grand Final 18 months later.