Saints suffered their first defeat since the 5th of May, after losing 34-6 to Hull FC at the MKM Stadium on Thursday evening
😇 Here's how the Saints line-up tonight against @hullfcofficial
Bennison & Hopoate come in on the edges, Knowles is named at hooker and LMS starts at loose-forward!
Follow along with our Live Match Centre 👇#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 22, 2023
Hull took an early lead at the MKM Stadium. A high kick to their right edge from Jake Trueman was caught by Darnell McIntosh, he offloaded on his inside to the returning Jake Clifford who dove low to open the scoring. Clifford was unable to convert his own try, 4-0 the hosts led.
The Black and Whites increased their lead 15 minutes in. On the last, camped on the Saints line, Danny Houghton went down the short-side on their right edge and found Carlos Tuimavave who burrowed under a tackle to score from close range. Clifford added the extras, 10-0.
A trip to the video referee soon followed. Hull spotted some open space down the Saints left edge and kicked early. Jack Welsby tried to let the ball run dead, but McIntosh was able to push the ball back infield and Trueman pounced on the loose ball to score. The try decision on-field was agreed with by the video referee after a lengthy review. Clifford converted, 16-0.
Just before the break, the video referee was called into action again. Chris Satae was handed the ball from close range and was able to power his way over. The referee’s try decision being confirmed after a short review. Clifford converted, 22-0 the Red V trailed.
Another decision followed 36 seconds before the half-time hooter. Hull broke down the middle and Clifford threw the ball wide to Davy Litten who dove over in the corner. This time the video referee didn’t agree with the referee’s on-field call of try, so Saints trailed 22-0 at the break after a poor first 40 minutes over in East Yorkshire.
⏸ A poor first half from Saints in Hull.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 22, 2023
Saints grabbed the first points of the second half four minutes in. A big break down the middle from Konrad Hurrell laid the platform. On the last, Lewis Dodd found Welsby who threw a great cut-out pass to James Bell who scored under the sticks. Jon Bennison converted, 22-6.
The Saints come out firing 😇#SuperLeague #SLHulStH pic.twitter.com/vPhHGsKBpa
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 22, 2023
Hull added to their lead a few minutes later. The hosts again went down the short-side and Clifford put in a kick which was claimed by Scott, before he was able to spin over and ground the ball under pressure. Clifford added the extras, 28-6.
Three successive penalties for Saints on the Hull line followed, with the final one resulting in a goal-line dropout. Saints were unable to capitalise however, as Joe Lovodua collected Dodd’s grubber kick on the last tackle following the restart. With less than eight minutes to go, Saints kicked low to the left corner, but the ball didn’t bounce right for Bennison, who fumbled the kick into touch.
The video referee was called into action again with seven minutes to go. Clifford’s kick to their left corner was collected by Litten, he dove over acrobatically in the corner under pressure from Tee Ritson. Despite the on-field call of try, the video referee once again overruled the call, 28-6 it remained.
Hull grabbed try number six with three minutes left. A Red V scrum in Black and White territory saw a loose pass from the scrum, which McIntosh picked up and raced away to score. Clifford converted, 34-6.
⏹ A strong performance from Hull FC sees them end our six-match winning run, on a night to forget the Saints.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 22, 2023
Match Summary
Hull FC Team: Jamie Shaul, Davy Litten, Cameron Scott, Carlos Tuimavave, Darnell McIntosh, Jake Trueman, Jake Clifford, Brad Fash, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Joe Lovodua, Andre Savelio, Joe Cator.
Interchanges: Chris Satae, Jordan Lane, Ben McNamara, Jack Brown.
18th Man: Will Gardiner.
Tries: Jake Clifford (6), Carlos Tuimavave (15), Jake Trueman (22), Chris Satae (34), Cameron Scott (47), Darnell McIntosh (77)
Conversions: Jake Clifford (5 from 6)
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tee Ritson, Konrad Hurrell, Will Hopoate, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Interchanges: James Roby, Sione Mata’utia, Agnatius Paasi, James Bell.
18th Man: Joey Lussick.
Tries: James Bell (44)
Conversions: Jon Bennison (1 from 1)
HT: 22-0
FT: 34-6
Attendance: 9,937
Bernard Platt (@PlattyPhoto) captured our defeat in East Yorkshire
