Saints Impressive In Lomax Testimonial Win

The waiting was over for many players and fans alike as Saints took to the field for the first time in 2019.

Saints fielded a strong starting 13 including new signings Kevin Naiqama and Lachlan Coote as well as an extended bench filled with young players.

Most of the first 20 minutes was a hard-fought close battle with neither team able to register point’s despite some good field position for both teams.

The deadlock was broken by Zeb Taia who spun over on the left after a nice short pass from the lively Coote.

Coote also added the conversion to give Saints a 6-0 lead.

Jake Connor was given a yellow card for dissent in the aftermath of the try.

Hull responded through Carlos Tuimavave as he made his way over from short range, Sneyd kicking the goal to even the scores.

But then Saints attack kicked into life, beautfiul hands from Theo Fages and Kevin Naiqama slotted Tommy Makinson into the corner for a trademark diving finish from the Golden Boot man.

Less than four minutes later the process was repeated with Makinson again flying into the right corner to give Saints a 14-6 lead, both conversions were missed.

Regan Grace was almost in again for the Saints on the left hand side but was unluckily bundled into touch.

New man Joseph Paulo joined the action alongside Matty Costello and Jack Welsby towards the end of the half after Coote and Percival left the field as a precaution following minor injuries.

Grace completed a four-try first half for Saints with another lovely move involving Fages and Costello.

The second half started with a scuffle involving most of both of the teams and ended with Hull being penalised.

Adam Swift added a score in the 53rd minute following a spin move and drive to the line following a nice pass from Coote again, to give Saints a commanding lead.

Alex Walmsley continued to drive the ball in hard in his first game back after a lengthy injury lay-off and Jack Ashworth also provided much needed go-forward from the middle after Luke Thompson was rested for the game.

There was time for one more try from young hooker Aaron Smith after a nice offload from Zeb Taia.

Hull scored two consolation tries from Jamie Shaul and Bureta Faraimo late in the game to make the final score 28-18.

Match Summary:

Saints:

Tries: Taia, Makinson (2), Grace, Swift, Smith

Goals: Coote (1 from 4), Makinson (1 from 2)

Hull FC:
Tries: Tuimavave, Shaul, Fariamo
Goals: Sneyd (3 from 3)

HT: 18-6
FT: 28-18

REF: Chris Kendall

ATT: 4,621