Four tries in 12 second half minutes ultimately proved the difference as Saints came from a 6-2 half-time deficit to beat Hull FC 32-18 at the KCOM Stadium.
A dominant display upon the return of Tommy Makinson, Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley helped Saints see off a tough Hull FC side, inflicting the oppositions first defeat of the season, and helped Kristian Woolf’s men get back to winning ways.
It was Saints who took an early lead after four minutes, Makinson scoring a penalty right under the sticks on his return to the squad after a high tackle on Theo Fages.
Hull had their first real chance of the half through Ratu Naulago as he looked to go over in the right corner, but a great challenge by Regan Grace took the winger into touch.
The hosts took the lead in the 29th minute against the run of play; a high ball to the corner was pushed back by Grace, but it bounced away from Jack Welsby before James Bentley tried to kick the ball dead, but he missed his kick and Carlos Tuimavave pounced on the ball to touch down. Marc Sneyd added the conversion to give Hull a 6-2 lead.
Despite being the better side in the opening half, Saints struggled to capitalise on their dominant display and the hosts went into half time ahead.
Saints came out in the second half the better side and were rewarded for their efforts with a try in the 46th minute as Jonny Lomax laid the ball off to Matty Costello on the left touchline to score in the corner to draw Saints level. Makinson was unable to convert.
Saints went over again minutes later; a high bomb by Fages was challenged by Welsby, the Hull man fumbled it backwards and Luke Thompson was there to touch down. Makinson added the conversion to give the Saints a 12-6 lead.
A brilliant second half start continued as Saints added a third through Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook in the 53rd minute, after he grasped Lomax’ short ball to power through underneath the sticks. Makinson added the conversion to make it 18-6.
Lomax was in the heart of the action once more minutes later, as he made a long pass out to the left to to Bentley who went over for the Saints’ fourth of the game. Makinson scored his third conversion to make it 24-6.
After a period of Saints dominance, Hull got one back against the run of play, Tuimavave grabbing his second with a great carry down the right hand side as he took advantage of some poor Saints defending. Sneyd added the conversion making it 24-12 to Saints.
McCarthy-Scarsbrook forced a penalty in the 70th minute, which gave Makinson the chance to score the penalty to make it 26-12.
Aaron Smith added a fifth try of the evening for Saints in the 77th minute, powering over to the left of the sticks after some quick build up play down the middle. Makinson added the conversion once again to make it 32-12.
Hull grabbed a late consolation as Jamie Shaul burst through to score just before the hooter sounded, before Sneyd added the conversion, but it was Saints who came away with a deserved win.
Match Summary
Hull FC: Jamie Shaul, Ratu Naulago, Carlos Tuimavave, Mahe Fonua, Adam Swift, Jake Connor, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Josh Jones, Josh Griffin, Gareth Ellis.
Interchanges: Jordan Johnstone, Masi Matongo, Brad Fash, Josh Bowden.
Tries: Tuimavave (2), Shaul.
Goals: Sneyd (3).
Saints: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Matty Costello, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Bentley, Luke Thompson, Zeb Taia, Dom Peyroux, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Matthew Lees, Joseph Paulo, Aaron Smith.
Tries: Costello, Thompson, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Bentley, Smith.
Goals: Makinson (4).
Penalties: Makinson (2).
HT: 6-2.
FT: 18-32.
Attendance: 12,399.
