SAINTS made the long trip over the Pennines to Hull aiming not only to continue their unbeaten run but to continue the development process of the next raft of players for the Club, writes Graham Henthorne.
The first ten minutes were nip and tuck until the black and whites made an error on the Saints line. Tommi Hughes picked up the loose ball and raced 80 metres only to be caught from behind. But a quick play the ball saw Lewis Charnock power his way over and convert his own try.
Two minutes later and Hughes got his name on the score sheet as he finished a fine right to left move racing into the corner. This was to be his final act of the game as he limped off just as Charnock’s fine touchline conversion put the Saints into a twelve point lead.
His ready-made replacement, Dave Eccleston, played a big part in the Saints third try. Shannon McDonnell returned an FC kick with interest snaking across the field before putting Eccleston away. He showed great composure in committing the full back before returning the pass to put McDonnell under the posts.
The Saints were playing with momentum by now and Charnock scored the fourth with a great individual effort.
As ever, however, momentum changes and the hosts got their chance to put the Saints under pressure as the half came to a close. Three sets on the Saints line culminated in a converted try.
The hosts took heart from this starting the second period well but another fine solo effort from McDonnell took the wind from their sails.
Ricky Bailey scored the Saints next try as good hands moved the ball wide after Ollie Davies had been held up over the line.
Four minutes later and a similar move saw the ball again moved wide right and this time Matty Fleming took advantage of the overlap to stroll in for another unconverted try.
A great inside pass from Andre Savelio put Davies into the clear and his pass put Lewis Furlong away to stroll over for the seventh Saints try.
A borderline call from a short kick off gifted Hull possession and they took advantage to score two quick fire tries through Zeus Silk and Callum Lancaster to make the score 16-42.
The Reserves responded with short kick off of their own and the ball fell to McDonnell who completed his hat trick.
A great individual try on the hooter from loose forward Jansin Turgit was the last score of the match.
The three late Hull FC tries gave the final score a degree of respectability it didn’t deserve and wasn’t a true reflection of how dominant the Saints truly were.
Savelio, Davies and Tony Suffolk were instrumental in laying the platform for Charnock to orchestrate a fine team performance in hot, humid conditions.
I’m indebted to successful Coach Ian Talbot for the information from which this report has been constructed.
Match Summary:
Hull FC Reserves:
Tries: Jordan Lane (40), Zeus Silk (74), Callum Lancaster (76), Jansen Turgit (80).
Goals: TBC
Saints Reserves:
Tries: Lewis Charnock (10 & 32), Tommi Hughes (12), Shannon McDonnell (24, 44 & 78), Ricky Bailey (51), Matty Fleming (55), Lewis Furlong (65).
Goals: Lewis Charnock 6
Half Time: 24-6
Full Time: 48-20
Teams:
Hull FC:
1. Reece Dean; 2. Mike Adlard, 3. Connor Bower, 4. Jack Sanderson, 5. Callum Lancaster; 6. Jordan Abdull, 7. Harry Tyson-Wilson; 8. Masi Matongo, 9. Jez Litten, 10. Brad Clavering, 11. Jordan Lane, 12. Jack Downs, 13. Jansin Turgit.
Subs: 14. Zeus Silk, 15. Ash Bastiman, 16. Ross Osbourne, 17. Alex Gilbey.
Saints:
1. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Ricky Bailey, 3. Calvin Wellington, 4. Matty Fleming, 5. Tommi Hughes; 6. Lewis Charnock, 7. Tom Connick; 8. Tony Suffolk, 9. Jonah Cunningham, 10. Tom Whittle, 11. Olly Davies, 12. Dave Llewellyn, 13. Andre Savelio.
Subs: 14. Brad Pinder, 15. Owen Smith, 16. Ben Morris, 17. Liam Cooper, 18. Levy Nzoungou, 19. Dave Eccleston, 20. Lewis Furlong.
