Zeb Taia bagged a brace as Saints continued their good form with a 26-12 win over Hull FC.

He took his season’s tally to six whilst Mark Percival and Luke Thompson both added four-pointers to lift Saints clear at the top of the table.

It brought Justin Holbrook’s side their third win in eight days – but more importantly proved they could once again cope with adversity.

Ben Barba was ruled out with illness in the build up to the game – James Roby injured in the second half.

Saints dominated the first half and probably should have been further ahead than 6-0 at oranges.

After Jonny Lomax went close on an arcing run, Theo Fages chipped over to the charging Taia who made no mistake in plucking it out of the air to get Saints on the board.

Richardson added the extras before, on 15 minutes, Hull had one chalked off for a knock on.

Saints had dominated up until that point but back to back penalties had allowed the visitors the chance to build pressure.

Holbrook’s men defended their lines desperately and won a drop out, but Lomax couldn’t take Roby’s bullet pass to increase the lead.

Up the other end of the field, Jordan Lane lost the ball over the line on the half hour mark and then a group tackle forced the ball out of the grasp of Jake Connor as the half came to a close.

Saints extended their lead just two minutes into the second half.

After Hull knocked on following Fages’ tricky kick to the corner, the ball came right from the scrum and Lomax caught Percival on a fantastic line.

Richardson added the conversion and then tagged on a penalty on 50 minutes after Connor was caught for lifting.

Hull did get on the scoreboard ten minutes later – Albert Kelly taking probably the most forward pass you will ever see to get his side back into it.

Thompson had one chalked off for a knock-on on 60 minutes-  but Taia grabbed his second seven minutes later when Smith and Fages combined on the last.

Thompson finally got the nod from the video referee after great work from LMS as the game entered its final stages before Chris Green crossed for a scant consolation.

Match Summary:

Saints:
Tries: Taia (2), Percival, Thompson
Goals: Richardson (5 from 5)

Hull FC:
Tries: Kelly, Green
Goals: Sneyd (2 from 2)

Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 4
Hull FC: 5

HT: 6-0
FT: 26-12

REF: R Hicks

ATT: 10,408

Teams:

Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 7. Matty Smith, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Morgan Knowles.

Hull FC:
1. Jamie Shaul; 24. Jack Logan, 4. Josh Griffin, 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 5. Fetuli Talanoa; 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Marc Sneyd; 8. Scott Taylor, 9. Danny Houghton, 23. Mickey Paea, 17. Danny Washbrook, 26. Jordan Lane, 20. Brad Fash.
Subs: 13. Josh Bowden, 14. Jake Connor, 15. Chris Green, 16. Jordan Abdull.

Saints Line up

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

Hull FC Line up

1Jamie Shaul
2Jack Logan
3Josh Griffin
4Carlos Tuimavave
5Fetuli Talanoa
6Albert Kelly
7Marc Sneyd
8Scott Taylor
9Danny Houghton
10Mickey Paea
11Danny Washbrook
12Jordan Lane
13Brad Fash
14Josh Bowden
15Jake Connor
16Chris Green
17Jordan Abdull

Last updated 6 Apr 18 21:38:23

77'

Class defence from Grace – wins the chase for the ball in his own in-goal and then makes 30 metres.

75'
Try
Chris Green for Hull FC

Ploughs over from close range – couple of nice offloads and goaled by Sneyd for 26-12

Yes Thommo! @plattyphoto

73'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Danny takes it out to 26-6

72'
Try
Luke Thompson for Saints

Denied earlier… not this time!

71'

Improvisation from Saints following Smith’s kick wins us a drop out

68'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 20-6

67'
Try
Zeb Taia for Saints

Saints run it on the last and the ball finds its way to Taia for his second!

64'

Thompson adjudged to have knocked-on…

64'

Going upstairs for a Thompson try…

64'

Knock on from Hull, Saints 20 out. Big chance.

61'

Saints force a drop out.

Replay of Kelly’s try reveals probably the most forward pass you’ll ever see! But Saints have to crack on.

58'

Sneyd makes it 14-6.

57'
Try
Albert Kelly for Hull FC

Broken play, ball finds its way to Kelly and Hull are back in it.

57'

Now heading upstairs for a potential Hull try…

56'

Lovely offload from Kelly gets Hull on the front foot – but Sneyd’s kick on the last is halted.

51'

Saints almost over in the corner – but Grace can’t haul it in.

50'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Following that penalty, Richardson tags a penalty and it’s 14-0

48'

Scrappy period – Hull have a player on report as Richardson has ‘pressure applied to his neck’ and then Connor is penalised for lifting.

Yes boys @plattyphoto

43'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 12-0

42'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

What a line that is – short pass from Lomax and Percy steams on to it!

41'

Chip to the corner, Hull knock on… Saints have an opportunity here.

40'

Saints will get the second half underway – they lead Hull 6-0.

39'

Another chance to Hull – but the ball is lost after a hit from Morgan Knowles.

37'

Outstanding D from Saints once again keeps Hull at bay.

Mr Perpetual Motion @plattyphoto

31'

Certain try for Hull… but Lane knocks on! Massive let off for Saints.

30'

Saints knock on in their own 30 – more defensive work needed

29'

Acrobatic from Tommy Mak so stop a 40:20 – diving tip back to Jonny Lomax.

28'

Richardson caught out on the last – but Hull have to come off their own line.

Makinson looking for a chip – had a fine game this chap already @plattyphoto

25'

Lomax can’t take Roby’s bullet pass and Hull come away with it. Saints lead 6-0.

23'

Makinson chips ahead, puts in a good chance and wins his side a drop out.

22'

More good defence from Saints… and then they win their third penalty of the evening.

21'

Saints penalised – looks harsh but Hull are right on the try line here.

19'

Great D from Saints as Hull throw everything at the host’s line.

18'

Percival with a high shot – Saints have some defending to do.

16'

knock on… comes off Jake Connor’s hands – Saints have a penalty.

15'

Heading upstairs for a Hull try on the back of Sneyd’s deft kick.

14'

Hull penalty as Saints are caught not square at marker.

‘Jon’ with his fifth of the season @plattyphoto with the pic.

9'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 6-0

7'
Try
Zeb Taia for Saints

After Lomax goes close, chip on the last from Fages and Taia steams on to it!

6'

Saints have a penalty, will attack from inside HUll’s 40

6'

Nice take from Grace from a high ball.

3'

But Saints lose the ball on the first drive.

3'

Kick from Fages – Makinson mops up the tackle and Saints have a drop out.

1'

Fages high kick, easy take for the Hull defence

Hull will get this one underway