Unexpected hero Ryan Hall was pinching himself today – to make sure he didn't dream his Old Trafford glory night.
The 20-year-old rookie scored a crucial touchdown and made a vital try-saving tackle as Leeds Rhinos stunned red-hot favourites St Helens to retain their engage Super League crown.
Leeds-born Hall only learned he was in the team two days before th
e final, when star full-back Brent Webb was forced to pull out after suffering a crippling back injury in training.
It was Hall's first senior game since breaking a foot in the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Saints on July 26 and he said: "I came into training on Thursday and Brent couldn't walk, so I thought I might be in.
"We went to a video session and Bluey (coach Brian McClennan) told me then. It is strange, I got injured playing against Saints and I thought my season was over. I came back into the final, playing against Saints, and to win it like we did is fantastic.
"Grand Finals bring out the best and that's my best. Two years ago, when Saints played Hull, I was up in the Stretford End, watching. I was thinking 'how are they doing it'? All along, it was inside me, what I could do."
Hall's try brought the house down at his former amateur club Oulton Raiders. Oulton player Sasch Brook said: "The clubhouse erupted when Ryan – our product – scored that try.
"He has done really well and we're proud of him."
The full article contains 262 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
