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In the build up to Saints fifth appearance at Old Trafford, Saintsrlfc.com jogs a few memories with Grand Finals from the past.

Today, Super League XI (2006) and what proved to be a comfortable win over a spirited Hull FC outfit.

In 2006, Saints were simply awesome.

The Challenge Cup was in the bag and they finished top of the regular season only losing four games – by one, two, three and four points.

To come was the World Club Championship, precluded by the BBC’s Coach and Team of the Year awards at the annual Sports Personality of the Year programme.

But before that, Saints took on Hull FC, who became the fifth team to compete in the championship decider.

And both Hull and the Saints both brought over a massive contingency of fans and the atmosphere was deafening.

It was Hull who seemingly struck first though Gareth Raynor who looked to have gone over in the corner. But Jamie Lyon bundled him into touch during he act of scoring.

Saints hit first when Long’s excellent kick was taken by Meli.

Sid Domic cancelled the lead with and excellent score coming after a scintillating move.

But Leon Pryce went over in the final minute of the first half – scything through the Humbersider’s defence to give Saints the edge.

The second half was anything like the first as, after a cagey start, it was dominated by the men wearing the red vee who notched up a further three tries.

Two tries in four minutes effectively ended the tie.

Willie Talau went through a gap to put Saints further ahead before Ade Gardner scored with a superb salmon like leap to juggle a ball he only caught as he landed over the try-line.

Keiron Cunningham then wrapped it up with his 150^th try for the club.

And Paul Wellens capped off a memorable year by taking the Harry Sunderland Trophy.

Match Summary:

Date: October 14, 2006

Attendance: 72,582

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick

HT: 10-4

FT: 26-4

Saints:

Tries: Meli, Gardner, Talau, Cunningham, Pryce

Goals: Lyon (3)

Hull FC:

Tries: Domic

Saints:

Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Jamie Lyon, Willie Talau, Francis Meli; Leon Pryce, Sean Long; Paul Anderson, Keiron Cunningham, Jason Cayless, Lee Gilmour, Jon Wilkin, Jason Hooper.

Subs: James Roby, James Graham, Mike Bennett, Maurie Fa'asavalu.

Hull FC:

Shaun Briscoe; Motu Tony, Sid Domic, Kirk Yeaman, Gareth Raynor; Paul Cooke, Matty Dale; Ewan Dowes, Richard Swain, Garreth Carvell, Shayne McMenemy, Lee Radford, Danny Washbrook.

Subs: Richard Whiting, Graeme Horne, Scott Wheeldon, Paul King.

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Grand Finals remembered… 2006