Clinical Saints take advantage of sloppy Hull to clinch win
MAKINSON STARS AS CHAMPIONS ARE JUST TOO GOOD
Hull FC’S winning streak came to end at the Totally Wicked Stadium as they lost 24-10 against St Helens.
Here’s the verdict.
Analysis
Having won their last three Super League outings, the Black and Whites travelled to Merseyside confident of being able to extend their winning run and end their dismal record against St Helens.
FC had lost their last 12 versus Saints and Hodgson was clear in his belief that they would need a season best performance to pick up the points at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
As such, he will have been kicking the chair in front of him when Saints took an early lead in the contest through Tommy Makinson.
Making the most of a penalty given away by Jamie Shaul, James Roby darted down the short side and the quick hands of Konrad Hurrell put Makinson over in the corner.
That came just minutes after Brad
Fash appeared to be knocked out after getting his head caught in the wrong place when making a tackle on Matty Lees.
Hull rallied, though, and Ligi Sao nearly pulled them level as he powered his way over the line but spilled the ball before he could get himself over. Connor was starting to pull the strings for the Black and Whites and Mark Percival was forced into action to deny Carlos Tuimavave a certain try after a welltimed kick to the corner from the full-back.
Percival was nowhere to be seen moments later, though, as Darnell Mcintosh touched down a Connor grubber to bring the Black and Whites back into the game.
FC looked the most likely to score a second as the first half came to a close. They were making plenty of metres and finding joy with the ball in hand.
However, an Agnatius Paasi offload opened FC up with just seconds of the first 40 remaining and Jack Welsby had the strength to touchdown and give Saints the advantage once more.
That gave Saints the impetus to start quickly in the second half and they thought they had another as Connor failed to take a high kick allowing the ball to be touched down in the area, but play was pulled back for a knock-on.
Makinson added two points with a penalty in front of the posts and when Konrad Hurrell broke down the edge to set up Jonny Lomax, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Hull.
Makinson scored Saints’ fourth after getting away from his man down the line before Mcintosh grabbed a second try late on but by then it was nothing more than a consolation for FC.
Key moment
The Black and Whites had a large spell of dominance in the first half but Welsby’s try ensured they went in at the break behind. That gave Saints a platform to build off in the
second half and that’s exactly what they did.
Good day for
Manu Ma’u. A colossal effort from the forward, who was moved into the middle halfway through the first half. He did a massive stint and ran his blood to water.
Bad day for
Luke Gale. The skipper was eligible to play last night after serving a twogame ban, but he was left out by the head coach.
Bigger picture
The Black and Whites were always going to be challenged in Merseyside, but they simply could not afford to concede in the fashion they did.
If this was a test of FC’S progress, it’s fair to say they still have some way to go before they are able to compete with the best the league has to offer.