Saints maintained our100% record in this season's Super League with a comfortable 38- 6 win over Hull FC in East Yorkshire in freezing cold conditions.
We could have taken a second minute lead as Jonny Lomax chased and gathered his own kick, however the referee judged that there had been a knock on.
π΄βͺ ππΌππππ πππΌπ ππππ! π΄βͺ
Introducing your Saints team for our Betfred @SuperLeague Round 2 clash with @hullfcofficial live on @C4Sport… π
Will Hopoate misses out so @JoshSimm01 gets a start on the wing in an otherwise unchanged line-up… πͺ#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 19, 2022
It wasn’t long until we did take the lead in East Yorkshire though. Off the back of a Konrad Hurrell carry, we worked the ball from right to left and Jack Welsby found Mark Percival running a strong line and he broke through the Hull line to score. Tommy Makinson, on kicking duties, added the extras, 6-0.
Connor Wynne was then sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after he tipped Welsby onto his head on the final tackle. From the penalty Saints worked a chance down the right edge, Josh Simm dove over to score but the prior pass to him was judged to have gone forward by referee Chris Kendall.
From the scrum restart, Saints were awarded another penalty from in front of the sticks. Makinson made no mistake which gave us an 8-0 lead.
On the back of another Hull FC error, Saints got a scrum ten metres from the Hull line. From the scrum we moved the ball from left to right and it ended with Simm sliding over from close range after Saints created an overlap. Makinson added a tricky conversion, 14-0. Luke Gale then received a red card for going studs up on Jonny Lomax as he kicked the ball downfield.
Try Time! π@Saints1890 go further ahead!#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/MyZTJ6Wpi7
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 19, 2022
Simm grabbed his second try of the game two minutes before the end of the half. We threw the ball through the hands from left to right, it resulted with Welsby throwing a cut-out pass to Simm and he slid over in the right corner. Makinson added the extras from the right touchline, 20-0.
HT: β«βͺ Hull FC 0-20 Saints π
Two tries from @JoshSimm01, a @MarkPercival22 score and five from five from the boot of @TommyMak21 means we lead at the break in Hull.#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 19, 2022
There was a feisty start to the second half, however Saints had a video referee review for a try in the 50th minute. Welsby kicked and chased his own kick and grounded the ball under the sticks, despite a Hull defender’s best attempts to stop him. The try was awarded. Makinson added the extras, 26-0.
Hull responded. A high kick was not dealt with by Saints and Josh Griffin collected the loose ball to score for the hosts. Darnell McIntosh added the extras, 26-6. Saints had another try ruled out shortly after, as Joey Lussick’s pass that sent Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook over was deemed to have gone forward.
Our fifth try wasn’t far away though. Agnatius Paasi with a great run and offload to Sione Mata’utia who threw a dummy before sliding over the line to score! Makinson once again added the extras, 32-6.
Sliding in for @Saints1890 π#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/5usQzjmjjZ
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 19, 2022
A sixth and final try of the game followed. Lewis Dodd with a great step to make a break before going around the full-back to slide over and score. Makinson maintained his 100% kicking record for the game as Saints returned back to the North West with two points and an impressive 38-6 victory.
FT: β«βͺ Hull FC 6-38 Saints π
Two from two for the Champs and a π performance!#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 19, 2022
Match Summary
Hull FC Team:Β Jamie Shaul, Darnell McIntosh, Cameron Scott, Connor Wynne, Adam Swift, Josh Reynolds, Luke Gale, Brad Fash, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Josh Griffin, Jordan Lane, Jordan Johnstone.
Interchanges:Β Jack Brown, Joe Lovodua, Chris Satae, Mitieli Vulikijapani.
Tries:Β Josh Griffin (56)
Conversions:Β Darnell McIntosh (1 from 1)
Sin Bin:Β Connor Wynne (17)
Red Card:Β Luke Gale (28)
Saints Team:Β Jack Welsby, Josh Simm, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mataβutia, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges:Β Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, Curtis Sironen.
Tries:Β Mark Percival (9), Josh Simm (24, 38), Jack Welsby (50), Sione Mata’utia (64), Lewis Dodd (67)
Conversions:Β Tommy Makinson (6 from 6)
Penalties:Β Tommy Makinson (1 from 1)
HT:Β 0-20
FT:Β 6-38