Picture Special - St Helens 38 Leeds Rhinos 34

Jamie Jones-Buchanan at full-time after the defeat to St Helens at Langtree Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

It means Brian McDermott’s side have lost nine of their first 12 games in the competition this season as the pressure intensifies on them to at least make the Super 8s later this year.

Oue photographer Bruce Rollinson was at Langtree Park to capture all the action, with a selection of his images here for you to enjoy.

St Helens 38 Leeds Rhinos 34 - Defensive problems continue as Saints punish Rhin...

Rob Burrow's run is held back by Jack Owens at Langtree Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Afterwards, Rhinos’ head coach, Brian McDermott, said: “I feel extremely proud,.

“I’m lucky to be involved with a group of men who probably defy the odds.

“Obviously we’ve a fair chunk of our preferred starting 13 missing already, Carl Ablett didn’t come back for the second half and Zak was missing for most of it, both of them weren’t fit and it was a gamble to play them.

Liam Sutcliffe looks for support as Kyle Amor holds his run at Langtree Park. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

“And then we’ve got some blokes who have played that much game time so to be within touching distance on a number of occasions, it was brilliant.

“I’ve experienced some great moments with this team and for different reasons, I feel so good about the group and where we’re at, although if you look at the league position, it’s another loss and we’re no further up the ladder and that’s hard to take.

“The harsh reality is we’ve got to win some games but, if don’t get what we want to get this year, we’ll go down swinging.

“I don’t think either coach will be happy defensively but some blokes were gassed and it’s starting to bite a bit.”