Saints Edged By Hull In Poor Show

A 50 metre Marc Sneyd penalty halted Saints' winning run as Hull came from behind to win 8-6 on Friday night.

In appalling conditions the half back’s telling contribution settled a dour contest.

Both sides struggled throughout with their handling and whilst Saints created the better of the chances they couldn’t make it pay when it mattered most.

They’d got off to a great start too when Regan Grace acrobatically finished off a flowing move after just four minutes.

Mark Percival drew the defence to put his winger in as the ball flew left, and then nailed the conversion from the touchline.

Poor handling dogged the next 10 or so minutes, as it did throughout the half, but the home side’s chances continued to flow.

Grace had an opportunity on 26 minutes but couldn’t haul a pass in with the line begging, and then a mazy Alex Walmsley run almost set James Roby away.

But Marc Sneyd hit the home side with a suckerpunch.

After some poor handling gave the ball to the visitors his sneaky run and conversion brought Hull level – even though there was a suggestion he knocked on in the act of scoring.

Saints had a chance right on the stroke of half time when Jake Connor knocked on a towering Richardson kick, but poor ball control let them down once again.

Considering what had gone before, the sight of both sides controlling their sets early in the second half was a relief!

But on 45 minutes Hull lost the ball giving Saints the chance to pile on some pressure.

Percival ran out of room and ended up in touch as a result, but it was a promising sign after a somewhat stop start first 40.

Matty Smith replaced Richardson on 50 minutes and he was instantly involved almost creating a chance for Saints with a slide rule kick following back to back sets.

But the handling issues that plagued the first half continued until what looked like a Hull knock on saw the home side penalised and Sneyd slotting over a penalty from half way.

His teammates offside from the kick.

Saints continued to toil from their own line and failed to trouble the Hull defence until, in the final minute, Percival went down the left hand side.

He opted to chip forward too, but was held back and the chance was gone.

Saints probably should have had the ball back as a result, but they hadn’t done enough in the game to justify the points.

Match Summary:

Saints:
Tries: Grace
Goals: Percival (1 from 1)

Hull FC:
Tries: Sneyd
Goals: Sneyd (2 from 2)

Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 10
Hull FC: 7

HT: 6-6
FT: 6-8

REF: James Child

ATT: 10,338

Teams:

Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 28. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 24. Danny Richardson; 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 36. Zeb Taia, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 7. Matty Smith, 8. Alex Walmsley, 10. Kyle Amor, 20. Morgan Knowles.

Hull FC:
14. Jake Connor; 4. Josh Griffin, 16. Jordan Thompson, 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 19. Steve Michaels; 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Marc Sneyd; 8. Scott Taylor, 9. Danny Houghton, 10. Liam Watts, 25. Jansin Turgut, 21. Sika Manu, 13. Gareth Ellis.
Subs: 15. Chris Green, 17. Danny Washbrook, 28. Brad Fash, 29. Masimbaashe Matongo.

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