Saints Reserves turned around a half-time deficit to defeat Hull FC in Humberside and you can watch the highlights below...
Seven minutes into the game it was Hull FC who opened the scoring when Callum Rutland went through a gap in the line and found Davy Litten who was supporting in the middle to touch down to the right of the posts. Rutland converted the try to put Hull into the lead, 6-0
After some strong defence and a penalty to get up field, the Saints responded after 16 minutes. An intercept from Sambou saw Saints work their way up the pitch where Jake Burns went close to scoring from dummy half, before Lewis Baxter followed up from the next play the ball to barge over himself from dummy half. Shay Martyn stepped up and converted from under the sticks to level the scoring at 6-6.
With 27 minutes gone in the game Saints were in again after some great work defensively on their own line to keep Hull out, Rio Corkill picked up a kick towards the posts and raced away to get himself 70 metres up the field. After getting to the Hull line, a loose ball was played to Dan Hill whose cut out pass to Dayon Sambou was quickly passed on to Keane Gilford who touched down in the right corner. Martyn’s kick just went wide of the posts, putting the Saints four points ahead, 6-10.
This is how the Reserves line-up for this afternoon's clash against @hullfcofficial! #COYS pic.twitter.com/Hk5sRKnKUt
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 26, 2022
Two minutes later a miscommunication from kick-off saw Hull awarded a goal-line drop-out and presented them with a great opportunity to respond. From the resulting set they worked their way up to the Saints and on the last tackle a crash play saw Alex Gibson go over to score, despite looking like the ball was held up, the try was awarded. Rutland converted to put Hull back ahead and send them into the break with a 12-10 lead.
Six minutes into the second half, Saints were back ahead. After forcing a goal-line drop-out, we were awarded a penalty on the last tackle for infringement at the play the ball, putting more pressure on the Hull defence. Corkill dummied the ball from dummy-half and jumped over to score to the right of the posts, getting himself a well deserved try. Martyn’s conversion just goes wide, 12-14.
As we enter the break Hull lead by 2 points, despite a try from Keane Gilford which saw the side lead, a try in reply see's them take the lead into half time.#COYS pic.twitter.com/oe1D0R66tj
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 26, 2022
54 minutes into the second half and Saints started to dominate the game, with another try furthering their lead. After forcing an error from Hull just inside there own half, Saints worked the ball up the field where eventually the ball was played right through the hands where Sambou again brilliantly found Gilford for his second. Martyn nailed the conversion from out wide, putting the Saints further ahead 12-20.
Nine minutes later after being awarded a penalty for dissent 5 metres out, Saints began another attack on the Hull line. Jake Burns followed on the theme of scoring from dummy-half and dived over right next to the right post to score. Martyn converts again, 12-26.
15 minutes to go in the game and straight after scoring, Saints were in again. The ball was played right after the Saints worked the ball to half way. Gilford got the ball down the wing and blitzed past the winger and found Hill in support back in the middle to score next to the posts. Martyn converts the try again to extend the lead, 12-32.
Our third try in a row quickly followed. On the last tackle Daniel Moss’ kick was charged down, but he got back to pick the ball up and beat three Hull defenders before going through the line, where he found Roberts in support who touched down next to the posts. Martyn converted again, with that being the last of the Saints scoring, 12-38.
But it would be Hull who ended the game just like they started it with a try. After getting up to the Saints line, Aiden Burrell went over after receiving a tip on ball 5 metres from the line. Gutland converted to bring the lead back to 20 points, but it was Saints who returned home with a 18-38 victory.
3 more tries from Dan Hill, Jake Burns and Will Roberts see the Reserves extend their lead and wrap up the win over Hull!
Great work lads🙌#COYS pic.twitter.com/SgNnNPD4n1
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 26, 2022
Match Summary
Hull FC team: Davy Litten, Harvey Barron, Mason Opie-Palmer, Marcus Walker, Jermaine Chatham, Callum Rutland, Callum Chapman-Peterson, Junior Mafi, Alex Gibson, Will Gardiner, Zach Jebson, Connor Gilbey, Aiden Burrell.
Bench: Lennon Bursell, Harrison Petrie, Sam Richards, Brandon Wright.
Tries: Davy Litten, Alex Gibson, Aiden Burrell.
Goals: Callum Rutland (3/3)
Saints team: Dan Hill, Keane Gilford, Dayon Sambou, Josh Simm, Shay Martyn, Max McGucken, Daniel Moss, Lewis Baxter, Jake Burns, Sam Royle, Reece Sumner, Rio Corkill, Eliot Peposhi.
Bench: Will Roberts, Brett Bailey, Nathan Bannerman, Alfie Sinclair.
Tries: Keane Gilford (2), Lewis Baxter, Rio Corkill, Jake Burns, Dan Hill, Will Roberts.
Goals: Shay Martyn (5 from 7).
WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY ON SAINTS TV!
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