IF title defences are built on defence then this could prove to be the night Saints showed Super League they aren’t going away.
Following two breathtaking tries from Shannon McDonnell and Tommy Makinson they produced the sort off dogged performance that typified their route to the top prize at Old Trafford last year.
Heroes across the field emerged with last gasp tackles and players putting their hands up for work in attack.
The pack was as strong as it needed to be and the likes of Josh Jones and Matty Fleming put in their best performances of the year.
Dougie Charnock, in at scrum half in place of the injured Luke Walsh – and the suspended Jon Wilkin – looked lively from the off and throughout the encounter.
His chip over on the last early on had Hull on their heels and in the fifth minute a carbon copy put the hosts on their own line again.
Steve Michaels threatened on the left hand side for Hull moments later and it took a keen Travis Burns tackle in the 12th minute to stop the winger once more.
Saints won a set in Hull’s half on 15 minutes and them Adam Swift’s great run put them right on FC’s line.
Cunningham’s men couldn’t take advantage though – and weren’t helped by the referee stopping play with Saints on Hull’s line for an injury 70 metres behind them in back play.
Saints weren’t to de done though and went ahead with a try of epic proportions.
On the last they pushed it right, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook scooped it up and then kicked it left.
Yes, you read that right.
Burns took it up, chipped into the corner for Swift who knocked it inside for Turner to feed Shannon McDonnell.
Superb.
Tommy Makinson tagged on the extras and then Dougie Charnock added a penalty on 26 minutes.
Hull began to creep back into it though and it was no surprise when Leon Pryce showed and ‘goed’ after Saints had been penalised twice on the hop.
Marc Sneyd making it a two point game at half time.
Saints had chances early in the second half, forcing a drop out, before Charnock added his second penalty kick of the evening.
Hull applied the pressure once more and won a repeat set when Saints were adjudged to have knocked on – much to the total dismay of the visitors.
Saints dug deep to defend their lines before Charnock missed the opportunity to take it out to 12-6 – the youngster slipping as he attempted to knock over a penalty on 52 minutes.
Five minutes later Hull struck and it came on the back of another penalty – much like Pryce’s try in the first half.
On the last the homesters pushed it wide and somehow Jordan Abdull crossed with pressure all around him.
Sneyd missing the conversion.
Saints hit back in true champion style.
On the last Burns kicked to the corner and Makinson let higher than anyone else, took the ball in midair and scored in the corner.
He then slotted the conversion from the touchline – and gave Saints six point advantage – and one they saw through.
The visitor’s strong kicking game had Hull coming off their line time and time again but it was their defence in the 70th minute that kept the home side at bay.
Two wonderful breaks got Hull down the field and then it took an almighty effort in the corner from Adam Swift to stop Curtis Naughton.
They then weathered two sets right on their own line following a break and a penalty.
And in the last minute Jordan Turner made it safe with a drop goal that bobbled over.
Match Summary:
Hull FC:
Tries: Pryce, Abdull
Goals: Sneyd (1 from 2)
Saints:
Tries: McDonnell, Makinson
Goals: Makinson (2 from 2), Charnock (2 from 3)
Drop: Turner
Penalties:
Hull FC: 6
Saints: 4
HT: 8-6
FT: 17-10
REF: M Thomason
ATT: 10,320
Teams:
Hull FC:
32. Jordan Rankin; 20. Curtis Naughton, 5. Fetuli Talanoa, 4. Kirk Yeaman, 19. Steve Michaels; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Marc Sneyd; 10. Liam Watts, 9. Danny Houghton, 8. Mickey Paea, 12. Mark Minichiello, 3. Setaimata Sa, 11. Gareth Ellis.
Subs: 15. Chris Green, 16. Jordan Thompson, 21. Richard Whiting, 27. Jordan Abdull.
Saints:
34. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Tommy Makinson, 30. Matty Fleming, 3. Jordan Turner, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 26. Lewis Charnock; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 14. Alex Walmsley, 15. Mark Flanagan, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 4. Josh Jones.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 18. Luke Thompson, 19. Greg Richards, 25. Andre Savelio.
