At the peak of their powers, Leeds Rhinos made a habit of beating St Helens when it mattered most.

The Rhinos crushed Saints' Old Trafford dreams four times in five years to establish themselves as the kings of Super League.

Since they claimed the last of their eight titles in 2017, however, they have seen their great rivals win four Grand Finals to take their crown.

Nothing better illustrated Leeds' decline than their record against the club they once dominated: 21 defeats in 23 meetings before this year, including the most painful of play-off losses last season.

Their campaign double over Saints, secured at the BrewDog Stadium on Friday night, could prove symbolic of the Rhinos finally turning the page.

Against a team with their own ambitions, the play-offs came early – and Brad Arthur's side won with a swagger.

Cameron Smith's try, reminiscent of Rob Burrow's famous Grand Final effort against the same opposition in 2011, was the highlight of a dominant showing that took Leeds back to the top of Super League.

Almost perversely, though, nothing much changes: they must still beat Wigan Warriors next week.

Harry Newman celebrates his try with Jarrod O'Connor. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Harry Newman celebrates his try with Jarrod O'Connor. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

Win and the League Leaders' Shield is theirs – if not mathematically; lose and top spot would be in Wigan's hands heading into their home game against Catalans Dragons.

But Friday's result was significant nonetheless – not only for Leeds' confidence but for Hull KR, who now have breathing space in their battle with Saints for a place in the top six.

St Helens' ever-present play-off record is now hanging by a thread after succumbing to a Rhinos side hitting their stride at just the right time.

A repeat of the early blowout at York Knights was never likely but Leeds began with the same energy and purpose against their old foes.

Cameron Smith lit up the first half with a wonder try. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

Daniel Suluka-Fifita had already produced a try-saving tackle on Brodie Croft by the time Chris Hankinson broke the deadlock seven minutes in.

Jake Connor took the ball to the line and Hankinson was on his shoulder to score his 10th try in 13 games.

That moment of quality from Connor took his tally of assists to 40 and gave the Rhinos the fast start they craved.

Cooper Jenkins had a try correctly ruled out before Leeds showed the other side of their game.

Ryan Hall crossed as Leeds eased to victory. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

Lachie Miller came up with a vital tackle on Deon Cross at the start of a sustained period of pressure that allowed Arthur's men to demonstrate why they have the meanest defence in Super League.

Leeds had an opening after Suluka-Fifita clattered Presley Cassell without the ball and saw yellow, only to let Saints off the hook with disciplinary lapses of their own.

The Rhinos enjoyed a reprieve when Cross had a try disallowed for a forward pass by Tristan Sailor – and they did not look back.

Connor got his team back on the front foot with a superb 20/40 but the magic moment came from Smith, the in-form loose forward stepping his way through the heart of the St Helens defence to break the game open.

With Saints on the ropes, Leeds struck again through Harry Newman. The ball went through the hands to the left flank, with the help of a touch from Nene Macdonald, and Newman slid over to leave the Rhinos in full control at the break.

Tom Holroyd was denied by the video referee on the other side of the interval but Saints' relief was short-lived, Ryan Hall finishing Jack Bird's classy flick pass in the corner to extend Leeds' advantage.

The Rhinos defence was breached for the first time when Jack Welsby romped over after racing on to Jonny Lomax's inside ball.

However, they responded emphatically through captain Ash Handley from Connor's well-weighted kick to swiftly reassert their dominance.

Connor's boot laid on another try for Croft – his 28th of a stellar season – before the half-back blotted his copybook by missing a long-range penalty.

But it mattered little on a night when Leeds underlined their title credentials.

St Helens: Sailor, Douglas, Macdonald, Welsby, Cross, Robertson, Lomax, Suluka-Fifita, Shorrocks, Klemmer, Davies, Wright, Host. Substitutes: Walmsley, Humphreys, Keeley, Evans.

Tries: Welsby (52).

Goals: Sailor 1/1.

Sin bin: Suluka-Fifita (15).

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Hall, Bird, Handley, Newman, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O'Connor, Jenkins, Watkins, Hankinson, Cassell. Substitutes: Smith, Lodge, Levi, Holroyd.

Tries: Hankinson (7), Smith (32), Newman (37), Hall (47), Handley (55), Croft (62).

Goals: Connor 5/7.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.