MARC Sneyd’s drop goal broke Saints hearts as Hull FC snatched a 17-16 win at Langtree Park.
The scrum half kicked the one pointer moments after an effort from Theo Fages drifted just wide.
It was harsh on Keiron Cunningham’s side who threw everything they had at their visitors.
Indeed, both Lee Radford and Saints’ head coach agreed that a draw would have been the right result.
Yet, it was that touch of magic from Sneyd’s boot that sealed the deal.
Like Easter Monday, Saints began well.
An early penalty put them on the front foot and Fages took full advantage by sliding a nice grubber for Joe Greenwood to put down.
Walsh adding the extras.
Saints continued to pile on the pressure and would have counted themselves unlucky not to increase the lead.
Luke Walsh’s high ball was taken in the in-goal area in the 10th minute and then some quick play to the left saw Jordan Turner’s pass just go forward.
Hull progressed into Saints’ half on a rare foray before the 20 minute mark and won a repeat set when Jon Wilkin was unlucky to have been called back for a knock on.
Fonda went close – downed by Dominique Peyroux – but Houghton latched on to a great kick to level the scores up.
Hull were on the up and Saints had to withstand a barrage of pressure before they struck next … and it came slightly against the play on their next attacking set.
On the last Walsh went down the right hand side and looked set to kick to the right corner.
But he reversed his effort to the left for Turner to take took advantage of the bouncing ball.
He found Fages who threw a fine cut out pass for Dawson to cross in the corner.
Owens converted from the touchline and seconds later Saints increased the lead once more.
After a strong run from Peyroux it was swept left into the hands of Turner who bulldozed over for his second of the year.
Hull are a different prospect this season though and they struck back just before half time.
Saints gave a penalty away on their visitor’s twenty and from there Curtis Naughton polished off a fine move.
Saints should have stretched their lead at half time though with the boot – but Owens, who had slotted one off the touchline earlier, missed from to the right of the posts after Luke Walsh was hit with a high shot.
The second half was almost a complete flip of the first – Hull starting the better.
McDonnell made a crucial tackle on Shaul within the first minute before James Roby knocked it dead for a drop out five minutes later.
And on 54 minutes Saints defended back to back sets from two penalties and then backstopped yet another from a high shot.
That defence was always going to take its toll though and Kirk Yeaman made the best use of some lethargic tackling to collect an offload and scamper over.
Sneyd tagging on the two to bring it level.
Saints were pulled for obstruction on their first significant attacking set of the half – on 63 minutes – and then Dawson made an important tackle on Steve Michaels.
The home side then won a drop out with 10 minutes to go when Luke Thompson chased down a Jon Wilkin kick.
But Saints couldn’t make the best of it – and Fages was wide with a drop goal on 75 minutes.
Sneyd wasn’t with his though and despite a frantic effort the Saints couldn’t find a way back.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Greenwood, Dawson
Goals: Walsh (1 from 1), Owens (1 from 3)
Hull FC:
Tries: Houghton, Naughton, Yeaman
Goals: Sneyd (2 from 3)
Drop: Sneyd
Penalties:
Saints: 6
Hull FC: 6
HT: 16-10
FT: 16-17
REF: James Child
ATT: 10,242
Teams:
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 22. Jack Owens, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 3. Jordan Turner, 21. Matty Dawson; 19. Theo Fages, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 16. Andre Savelio, 20. Joe Greenwood, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Travis Burns, 10. Kyle Amor, 15. Greg Richards, 17. Luke Thompson.
Hull FC:
1. Jamie Shaul; 19. Steve Michaels, 2. Mahe Fonua, 24. Kirk Yeaman, 20. Curtis Naughton; 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 7. Marc Sneyd; 8. Scott Taylor, 9. Danny Houghton, 10. Liam Watts, 12. Mark Minichiello, 21. Sika Manu, 11. Gareth Ellis.
Subs: 16. Jordan Thompson, 17. Dean Hadley, 22. Josh Bowden, 23. Frank Pritchard.
