Saints v Hull FC

Match Report
As it Happened
Line Up
Match News

St Helens beat Hull FC 20-12 in a physical battle at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday evening as they returned to winning ways!

The first big chance came for the visitors eight minutes in. Cameron Scott broke down the Hull right edge before being halted by Jack Welsby ten metres out, on the last Brad Fash threw a booming pass from right to left which found Ligi Sao, he then found Josh Griffin who found former Saint Adam Swift on the wing, a great last-ditch tackle by Ben Davies forcing a fumble as Swift went for the corner, 0-0.

Saints had their best chance 24 minutes into the game. A break downfield by skipper James Roby allowed them to run a quick play, Davies was held up in the corner though by a strong FC defence. The following play, Saints moved the ball to their right on the last, but Jonny Lomax’s pass to Jon Bennison was judged to have gone forward as the winger dove to score in the corner, 0-0 it remained.

The video referee was called into action with seven minutes of the first period to go. On the last tackle in the Saints five, Josh Griffin opted to go alone down the short side in the left corner. Referee, Aaron Moore, ruled no try on-field. The video referee agreed with Moore’s call, 0-0 it stayed.

Saints camped on the Black and Whites line for the final five minutes of the first half. That pressure finally paid off in the final 90 seconds of the half. From a goal-line dropout, Hull FC opted to go short, centre Davies claimed the ball unopposed before sprinting away to score in the corner. The referee sent it upstairs as a try and the video referee confirmed that decision. Tommy Makinson was unable to convert, 4-0.

The hosts led 4-0 at the break, as defences were on top in a hard fought opening forty minutes at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The video referee was called into action seven minutes into the second half. Hull FC marched downfield and off the back of a six again call, Scott Taylor went over from close range. Moore saying try on-field and the video referee agreed. Jake Clifford converted, 4-6 the visitors led.

Saints’ try scorer Davies was then forced off with half an hour to go with an apparent knee injury as the Black and Whites kicked to Welsby on the last, 4-6.

The Red V then re-took the lead 15 minutes into the second half. The visitors knocked the ball forward as Ritson dove for the corner giving Saints another set. From the scrum, Jonny Lomax threw left for Welsby, he then threw a cut-out pass to Bennison on the left wing, he cut in before squeezing through a gap to score. Joey Lussick took over kicking duties and nailed it, 10-6.

Another try followed just after the hour mark. Saints marched downfield again, then ran down the Hull right edge and James Bell threw a great offload to find Welsby who slid over in the corner for a perfect birthday gift! Lussick kicked a brilliant conversion from the left touchline, 16-6 the hosts led.

Hull FC then responded almost instantly from the kick off. Saints ran the ball out and fumbled it forward, Clifford picked up the loose ball to stroll over for their second try of the game. He converted his own try, 16-10 they trailed.

The visitors had another great chance as we entered the final five minutes. Swift made a break down their left wing and kicked ahead, Brad Dwyer was all alone with the try-line in his face, but fumbled the ball as he went to collect it, a big let off for Saints, 16-12 the score stayed.

The video referee was called upon again with three minutes to go. On the last, five out from the Hull line on the last, Saints opted to go down the short side. Dodd finding Makinson, he found Bennison who crept in the corner for his second try. The video referee agreed with the on-field decision, Saints had a two-score lead for the first time on the night. Dodd took over kicking duties but it sailed wide, 20-12 the hosts led.

Those were the final points of the evening, as Saints returned to winning ways with a 20-12 victory over Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium, scoring four tries for their first home victory of the 2023 Betfred Super League season!

Match Summary

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tee Ritson, Ben Davies, Tommy Makinson, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, James Bell, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield.

18th Man: Sam Royle.

Tries: Ben Davies (38), Jon Bennison (55, 77), Jack Welsby (61)

Conversions: Tommy Makinson (0 from 1), Joey Lussick (2 from 2), Lewis Dodd (0 from 1)

Hull FC Team: Tex Hoy, Davy Litten, Cameron Scott, Josh Griffin, Adam Swift, Josaia Lovodua, Jake Clifford, Jack Brown, Danny Houghton, Tevita Satae, Andre Savelio, Ligi Sao, Brad Fash.

Interchanges: Jordan Lane, Joe Cator, Scott Taylor, Brad Dwyer.

18th Man: William Gardiner.

Tries: Scott Taylor (47), Jake Clifford (64)

Conversions: Jake Clifford (2 from 2)

HT: 4-0

FT: 20-12

Attendance:10,350

First Team Mon 20 Mar 23

Hurrell, Mata’uita & Sironen receive match bans

Saints Line up

1	Jack Welsby
2	Tommy Makinson
22	Ben Davies
25	Tee Ritson
5	Jon Bennison
7	Lewis Dodd
7	Jonny Lomax
8	Alex Walmsley
	James Roby
10	Matty Lees
15	James Bell
11	Curtis Sironen
13	Morgan Knowles
14	Joey Lussick
15	Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
17	Agnatius Paasi
18	Jake Wingfield

Hull FC Line up

1	Tex Hoy
2	Adam Swift
23	Josh Griffin
17	Cam Scott
25	Davy Litten
14	Joe Lovodua
7	Jake Clifford
20	Jack Brown
9	Danny Houghton
10	Chris Satae
12	Andre Savelio
8	Ligi Sao
13	Brad Fash
11	Jordan Lane
15	Joe Cator
30	Scott Taylor
33	Brad Dwyer

Last updated 17 Mar 23 21:45:27

79'

Kick missed from Dodd on the wing.

😇😇 20-12 ⚫⚪

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78'

Try

Jon Bennison for Saints

BENNISONNNNNNNNN!!! A little in and out play from Dodd and Makinson with a final tip-on pass for Jon! SUPERB!

😇😇 20-12 ⚫⚪

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76'

Saints with a let-off. Griffin kicks to Swift on the wing and he gets it, he kicks himself into Dwyer but the hooker knocks on with the try line begging.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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74'

Solid defence on the back of a penalty for St Helens.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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71'

The Red V have FC retreating towards their line, Welsby goes for a hit out pass to Bennison on the wing but it’s no good.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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69'

Saints follow their error with a good defensive set, keeping the visitors in their own half.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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67'

Both sides exchange errors in the form of a knock on. Saints give the ball back to FC on their 10m line.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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66'

🔄 Roby and Walmsley come back on, Lussick and Paasi come off.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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66'

Goal

Jake Clifford for Hull FC

Clifford converts his own try.

😇😇 16-12 ⚫⚪

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65'

Try

Jake Clifford for Hull FC

Saints lose the ball in a tackle 20m from their own line, Clifford picks it up and runs in for a frustrating score.

😇😇 16-10 ⚫⚪

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62'

Goal

Joey Lussick for Saints

OH JOEY! From the touchline he adds the two! ✌

😇😇 16-6 ⚫⚪

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61'

Try

Jack Welsby for Saints

THE BIRTHDAY BOY! WELSBYYYYY! What an offload though to set that up from James Bell!

😇😇 14-6 ⚫⚪

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59'

Saints allow a bomb to bounce and Hull try keep it going but a tackle is made.

😇😇 10-6 ⚫⚪

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58'

Lussick goes looking for a 40/20, it’s a great kick but remains in field.

😇😇 10-6 ⚫⚪

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57'

Goal

Joey Lussick for Saints

Joey Lussick is on kicking duties and he slots it over! ✌

😇😇 10-6 ⚫⚪

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55'

Try

Jon Bennison for Saints

JONNNNNNN! Great stuff from Saints are the scrum, Bennison cuts in and keeps cutting in and goes into space closer to the centre of the field!

😇😇 8-6 ⚫⚪

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54'

Saints with a rare six-again 20m out, we come close with Ritson on the edge but he’s taken into touch.

😇😇 4-6 ⚫⚪

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52'

Great kick from Dodd on the run, Hoy has to take it out for a GLDO.

😇😇 4-6 ⚫⚪

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51'

Ben Davies has to come off, looks to be hurt and Knowles takes to the field in his stead.

Great shift Ben 👏

😇😇 4-6 ⚫⚪

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50'

🔄 Interchange for Saints, Lees off, McCarthy-Scarsbrook on.

😇😇 4-6 ⚫⚪

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49'

Goal

Jake Clifford for Hull FC

Clifford kicks the goal from in front of the posts.

😇😇 4-6 ⚫⚪

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48'

Try

Scott Taylor for Hull FC

On the back of a knock on and a six-again Hull FC score through Taylor burrowing next to the line. The ref originally thought he was held up, but a video check gives it.

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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45'

Dodd on the last kicks a chip to chase, Litten catches it but is stopped immediately.

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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44'

The ball gets worked to Ritson who before going out in a tackle throws it in field, Davies puts in a bomb, chases it and tackles Hoy well.

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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40'

Second forty underway! COME ON YOU SAINTS!

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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Saints edge a defensive battle at the Totally Wicked Stadium off a late Davies try.

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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40'

Tommy just misses the kick and the hooter goes off for the break.

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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39'

Try

Ben Davies for Saints

DAVIESSSSS! A short kick-off from Hull FC opens up and Ben catches it and goes 20m to the line for the opening points! GET IN!

😇😇 4-0 ⚫⚪

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38'

More pressure but no points yet, a Saints kick has to be dealt with for a GLDO.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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37'

First bit of sustained pressure on the line for Saints, Hull firm up well but knock on as Lomax goes for a cutout pass.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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34'

Great set from Saints who go from deep in their own half to pushing on FC’s. Good second phase rugby from Welsby and Paasi got us going.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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32'

Saints were given a six-again after Bennison is fouled by his own line and then Saints concede a GLDO. Hull FC twice threaten the line, but the Red V hold them out. 💪

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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29'

🔄 Roby and Walmsley off, Paasi and Lussick on.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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28'

Great defence again from Saints, Hull are pushed back towards their own 40m line and Clifford has to punt it and it runs all the way out.

27'

Chaotic rugby, Sironen has the ball knocked loose, Sao picks up and goes to the left edge and offloads but into the path of Ritson.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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25'

Bennison thinks he’s in but the pass to him on the edge is judged forward.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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24'

Good carries from Wingfield and Roby build a chance for Saints, Davies is just held up!

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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22'

Biggest chance for points by the Saints yet, Lomax floats the ball for Makinson who is in the centres but he can’t take it clean.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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20'

🔄 Interchange for Saints, Knowles off, Wingfield on.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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20'

The visitors on the run get an offload away and a kick but it is too strong. Ritson restarts at the 20m line and is taken high for his efforts. The ref has a word with Sao.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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17'

Saints follow it up with an even better defensive effort, Hull FC 5m short of the line with Savelio wrapped up well.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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16'

Hull FC come close to the opener but Saints scramble well, pushing them back but Lovodua kicks and forces a GLDO.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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13'

The visitors on the back of a penalty threaten the line. FC kick across the field towards Litten, but Bennison goes highest and catches well but is taken out by Litten in the air

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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11'

Big Al tries to blast through the FC defence from 15m out, but the ball ricochets off into Knowles hands and it’s a knock on.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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The Black & Whites move to the left edge for Swift but great defence from Davies makes him knock on in the corner.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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Welsby just manages to get out of the in-goal area after an FC kick, the Saints are pinned in their own 40m after a set and Dodd kicks a high bomb, the chase is good from Saints.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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Walmsley and Knowles make a half break, Knowles is stopped around the legs on the last and goes for a quick play of the ball but it’s judged as an incorrect play.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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Calm start from both sides, neither threatened the line just yet but going strong in their runs.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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Late change for Saints, Percival comes out of the team, in comes Tee Ritson in his stead.

😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

Kick Off

KICK-OFF! Game underway at the Totally Wicked Stadium between St Helens and Hull FC in Round 5!
😇😇 0-0 ⚫⚪

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Warm ups underway, we’re gearing up for a BIG game against Hull FC!

Kick-off is at 8pm – have you read our digital Match Programme? You can read an exclusives features with Jack Welsby, Paul Wellens and Women’s Head Coach Matty Smith!

Find it by tapping ‘Match News’ above