Mark Percival produced a sublime finish as Saints beat Hull 19-12 to keep alive their top four hopes.

The centre collected a chip from the immense Theo Fages and put down under pressure, with minute room, to swing the contest back to his side.

Danny Richardson then showed remarkable maturity to add a drop goal to leave Hull with too much to do.

Fages and Percival were class personified throughout – and they were backed by the likes of Luke Thompson, James Roby and Luke Douglas.

Handling conditions weren’t the best all night and both sides struggled with completion.

Saints certainly did early on as they dominated the first half.

Morgan Knowles, Dominique Peyroux and Fages all went close before Jamie Shaul put the visitors ahead.

He took a simple pass to finish off a simple move – but there was a clear forward pass from Albert Kelly in the build up.

Saints hit back on the half hour mark after winning back to back sets.

Kicks from Richardson and Fages forced errors from the Hull defence and then James Roby darted in from dummy half.

Mark Percival levelling it with the boot – and then tagging on a penalty as the half time hooter went.

Saints forced a drop out within the first minute of the second half, and then got another in the second.

They couldn’t profit but did when a piece of individual brilliance from Fages extended Saints’ advantage – and Percival was the benefactor.

On the last, the half back shaped to kick it on the short side but showed great feet to dance through the defence and put Percival over.

Josh Griffin felled Jonny Lomax on 57 minutes – and was very lucky to stay on the field – before Luke Thompson went within inches as the game creeped into the final quarter.

More chances came and went, and the visitors made them pay as Mahe Fonua had the simplest task of putting down after he caught Percival’s tip back following a high ball.

It was a blow for the hosts considering they had dominated the majority of the game.

And it almost worse as following Sneyd’s 40:20, and two drop outs, the video referee had to rule out a Talanoa score.

The big winger impeding Makinson as he went for the ball.

Mark Percival then produced a bit of class to stretch Saints’ lead and it was once again down to Fages.

His cute chip on the last was inch perfect for the centre to collect and then somehow put it down for a worldie of a finish.

Danny Richardson showed his maturity with a drop goal wth 77 on the clock to make the game safe – and it was game, set and match when Thompson smashed the ball from Griffin to seal the deal.

Saints Line up

6 Jonny Lomax
2 Tommy Makinson
Ryan Morgan
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
7 Theo Fages
7 Danny Richardson
14 Luke Douglas
James Roby
10 Luke Thompson
11 Zeb Taia
12 Dominique Peyroux
13 Morgan Knowles
8 Alex Walmsley
18 Kyle Amor
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook

Hull FC Line up

1Jamie Shaul
2Mahe Fonua
3Carlos Tuimavave
4Josh Griffin
5Fetuli Talanoa
6Albert Kelly
7Marc Sneyd
8Scott Taylor
9Danny Houghton
10Josh Bowden
11Danny Washbrook
12Mark Minichiello
13Sika Manu
14Liam Watts
15Jake Connor
16Jordan Thompson
17Masimbaashe Matongo

Last updated 7 Jul 17 21:57:55

FT

Fages gets the sponsor’s man of the match here!

Oh Danny Boy @plattyphoto

78'

Not the time for an intercept but fitting with the game today… Hull on the attack.

76'
Drop Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Could be very very crucial that.

73'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Class.

73'

Cute chip from Theo now has he got it down….

73'

Has Percival scored a worldie here?

72'

Saints hold on.

71'

Some quick work from Grace stops a certain try – Saints have to drop out.

68'

Ref sends it up as a try… Saints come away with a penalty.

68'

We’re off upstairs for a Hull try.

67'

Saints now have to drop out.

66'

Sneyd hits a 40:20

65'
Goal
Marc Sneyd for Hull FC

Sneyd makes it a two point game.

64'
Try
Mahe Fonua for Hull FC

Percy goes up for the ball but can only tip it into the hands of HUll’s big winger

63'

Fast pass on the last – but Knowles can’t haul it in.

61'

Thompson goes close and then Hull knock on again.

60'

More ball to ground but Saints now have a set on Hull’s line.

57'

Was a shocker that one – Lomax back up and running and Saints with the penalty

57'

Lomax laid out after a high shot. Touch judge is on.

56'

And then Saints do… They remain 14-6 to the good.

55'

Hull drop it again…

55'

Saints piling on the pressure once more and Hull hold on.

53'

High ball from Richardson, Hull knock on. Big chance for Saints.

51'

Knock-on-a-thon continues! Saints have it, then Hull, then Saints and now Hull!

Percy on his way to his 12th of the season @plattyphoto

48'

Amor hit with a very high shot – Saints have a penalty

48'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy makes it 14-6

47'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Theo on the last, shapes to kick, dances through a gap and puts his centre in!

45'

Great take from Lomax – and a great kick on the last from Fages has Saints in Hull’s 20.

44'

Peyroux close once again… Taia loses it and Hull have the ball.

42'

And another drop out gained

Percy’s penalty papped by @plattyphoto (nearly all the p’s)

41'

Saints force a drop out

Hull will get the second half underway. Saints lead 8-6

HT

Half Time: Saints 8 Hull 6

40'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints
39'

And another right in front of the posts. Saints will attempt the 2

39'

Penalty to Saints, minute left in the half.

38'

Sneyd caught out on the last – Saints get it back in Hull’s half – and then they lose it.

37'

Roby attempts a grubber but Hull’s back line are up to it. Still 6-6

35'

But Hull spill it!

35'

Another error leaves Saints defending a set within their own 40.

33'

Saints have to drop out.

Roby with the try…. @plattyphoto with the pic.

31'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

And we’re tied at 6-6

29'
Try
James Roby for Saints

Dart from dummy half and Saints make the pressure pay

29'

Roby over… but it’s gone upstairs… Simple choice this one we think?

29'

And another repeat from Fages’ kick…

28'

Richardson kick wins a repeat set… Saints need to make these count.

27'

Hull 6-0 to the good here and the conditions are causing both sides to drop the ball.

24'
Try
Jamie Shaul for Hull FC

Hull break the deadlock through Shaul. Forward pass in the build up? 0-6

Luke Thompson charging past Kelly @plattyphoto

21'

But Hull knock on…

21'

Saints knock on on their own line, big D set coming up.

17'

Saints building more pressure – Peyroux makes a great break but the ball comes out as he goes for the line.

15'

Saints certainly giving it some width here but they can’t break through as the ball goes to ground.

15'

Repeat set right on Hull’s line…

12'

Fages and Percy combine to almost send Regan away, but he just can’t haul in the pass.

11'

Makinson whacked around the head on a kick return and Saints win a penalty.

10'

Great D from Saints keeps this one tied 0-0

9'

Saints will drop out.

Apologies it was Knowles that had the try chalked off…

Morgan Knowles causing problems early on @plattyphoto

5'

Not given… and a penalty to Hull.

5'

We’re heading upstairs for a Roby try… ref has it as no try…

4'

Knowles almost through but Hull hold on. Good pressure from Saints.

3'

Saints penalty on half way…

2'

High ball from Fages, Hull take it.

1'

Hull with a kick on the last, Saints will form the scrum 20 out of their own line.

Saints will get this one underway

Impeccable silence there for Adam Cooper. Thank you to all.