SAINTS U19s were left rueing a terrible opening 20 minute spell which saw them let the home side in for two tries which ultimately won the game 18-16 for the black and whites, writes Graham Henthorne, Team Manager.
Ironically it was the Saints who first threatened the line and who could have opened the scoring. Matty Fleming went on an arcing run out of defence only to see his pass fly in to touch instead of into the hands of his wing partner Ben Parry who had a clear 50 metres to go to score.
The home side took advantage of some poor Saints handling to score twice in a three minute period courtesy of their two big props barging over close to the posts.
The Saints finally put the hosts under some degree of pressure on quarter time as both Luke Thompson and James Tilley (pictured) went close. Unfortunately the scoring pass to winger Lewis Galbraith went into touch.
The Saints fortunes changed with the introduction of Dom Speakman from the bench. The hooker started to direct the play from dummy half and the Saints started to look more dangerous.
The opening score just before the half hour, came courtesy of a repeat set. The forwards drove close to the line with Parry again short after Andre Savelio’s offload. But as the ball was swept right Connor Dwyer took a neat inside pass to drive over the line. Unfortunately the reliable Dave Hewitt missed the relatively easy kick to leave the Saints eight points behind.
The Saints were on a roll now. First Speakman was held up over the line then from a stabbed grubber through the defence Fleming knocked on over the line.
The home side were offering little and the same was true after the break as Speakman again broke the line. He took it 30 metres to the full back but in a mix up with the supporting Tom Calland the chance was lost.
A defensive lapse saw FC extend their lead soon after but the Saints heads didn’t drop.
Ben Parry’s good run down the left put the Saints on the front foot only for Dan Abram to knock on in a crash tackle over the line on the last.
Galbraith then scored his customary try. From an FC grubber Tilley took a quick tap 20 restart giving it to Matty Fozard who went 60 metres before being caught from behind. Two tackles later and Galbraith was scooting around the cover and improving the touchdown to behind the sticks.
The Saints were all over the home side now but just couldn’t put the final pass together. Speakman again broke the line going 50 metres to the full back but then ruined all his hard work with a terrible pass to Savelio for a walk in.
The home side picked up the loose ball and only a fabulous chase from Hewitt saved the Saints bacon forcing a knock on.
Back came the Saints setting up a grandstand finish as Savelio scored the third Saints try. A great kick chased forced the error on the first tackle on the FC 10 metre line and three tackles later no-one could stop the big second row from charging over.
As time wore on the Saints pressed and were denied a fantastic winner as the touch judge ruled Speakman offside after he scooted in taking Hewitt’s outside of the foot cross kick.
But it wasn’t to be as the home side hung on probably just about deserving to win. Had the Saints played for a full 80 minutes, however, the story would have been different.
Best for the Saints were Tilley and Dom Speakman but the defeat leaves the Saints precariously placed in third position with the pack closing in.
Match Summary:
Hull FC U19s:
Tries: Jack Logan, Bobby Tyson-Wilson, Ryan Wilson.
Goals: Richard Wilkinson 3.
Saints U19s:
Tries: Lewis Galbraith, André Savelio, Connor Dwyer.
Goals: Dave Hewitt 2.
Half Time: 4-12
Full Time: 16-18
Teams:
Hull FC:
1. Josh Nicklin; 2. Tom Stark, 4. Jack Logan, 3. Sol Bevis, 5. Ash Leeming; 6. Richard Wilkinson, 7. Josh Wood; 8. Bobby Tyson-Wilson, 9. Andrew Ward, 10. Ryan Wilson, 11. Jack Downes, 12. Brad Fash, 13. Jack Humprhies.
Subs: 14. James Cunningham, 15. Zack Braham, 16. Jordan Abdul, 17. Matty Liggins.
Saints:
20. Adam Saunders; 2. Lewis Galbraith, 4. Jack Ashworth, 3. Matty Fleming, 5. Ben Parry; 6.
Dave Hewitt, 7. Dan Abram; 8. Chris Webster, 9. Matty Fozard, 10. James Tilley, 11. Luke Thompson, 12. André Savelio, 13. Connor Dwyer.
Subs: 14. Dom Speakman, 15. Adam Hesketh, 17. Joe Ryan, 21. Tom Calland.
