Finals Week Two
St Helens 12 d. Hull FC 8

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Saints into Grand Final edging out Hull FC in a classic
Sat September 30, 2006
St Helens have edged out Hull FC 12-8 in a classic 1v2 semi-final to be the first side to advance through to the Grand Final and the Saints first appearance at Old Trafford since winning in 2002.

The match had all the ingredients that it would be one of the best of the season with St Helens runaway Minor Premiers and Hull FC finishing comfortable in second spot. St Helens took over the Challenge Cup in commanding style and Hull FC were the only team to win a match at Knowsley Road this season.

It was gripping early on with both sides having plenty of opportunities. Hull FC had a greater slice of possession whilst St Helens looked more dangerous with the ball and was denied an early opportunity when St Helens prop Jason Cayless made an early break and when he went to pass it inside to second-rower Jon Wilkin Hull FC halfback Richard Horne was there to cut it off.

The opening try came after 18 minutes when Hull FC hestitated after a pass from Paul Wellens landed on the leg of team-mate Lee Gilmour and bounced up perfectly for Ade Gardner to swoop upon the ball and score. It was the slice of luck needed in such a big game for the opening to come. Jamie Lyon continued his stellar season converting the try.

Hull FC struck back in the 25th minute when Paul Cooke featured twice in a movement that was finished off by Kirk Yeaman scoring his 22nd try of the season and his first since suffering an ankle injury. Cooke who did plenty to create the try than added the extras to level up the scores.

The scores were leveled at half-time and a penalty goal four minutes after the break by Cooke saw Hull FC edge two points in front following St Helens being penalised for their markers not being square. Lyon equalised for St Helens five minutes later when he landed a 45m penalty after Hull FC reserve Graeme Horne was penalised for a high tackle on Wellens. St Helens were certainly the stronger team in the second half and were lifted by the introduction of super-sub James Roby.

St Helens regained the lead in the 61st minute when captain Sean Long put Gilmour through a yawning gap and his pass to winger Francis Meli was a poor one but the New Zealand International did remarkably well to pick it up around his bootlaces to score. Lyon missed his first goal of the night with St Helens up by only four points.

The scores remained 12-8 until the end with St Helens finishing the stronger side but was unable to convert the chances into points. Keiron Cunningham was all set to score a trademark dummy half try when he was held up over the line on the last tackle and Willie Talau was disallowed a try when the pass to him went forward.

St Helens advance directly to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday 14th October where they'll have next week off whilst Hull FC will host the winner of tonight's Bradford v Warrington elimination semi-final next Friday night. Hull FC might have lost the game but they certainly didn't lose any admirers with their effort and performance. They will now have to back it up next week against the Bulls or Wolves, which will be tough as the winner of tonight's clash will have Finals momentum behind them.

After the match, St Helens coach Daniel Anderson said, "There were a lot of nervous moments. It was a tough game to be in.

"We wanted to play more football when we were four points ahead but we just didn't have the energy. Fortunately, we won the battle.

"If they aim up like that, they will be hard to beat. They, too, defended well but they have to do it all again. Fortunately we don't."

Hull FC coach Peter Sharp said, "It was a great effort, a tremendous effort, but we came up a little bit short.

"It was a tough game of rugby, very hard and very skilful. We have to take something from it. We'll re-group and be ready for next week.

"I thought we didn't get the rub of the green all night. There were some dubious decisions to say the least."

SCORING ORDER
18 St Helens Try by Ade Gardner
19 St Helens Goal by Jamie Lyon
25 Hull FC Try by Kirk Yeaman
27 Hull FC Goal by Paul Cooke
Half Time: St Helens 6 Hull FC 6
44 Hull FC Goal by Paul Cooke
49 St Helens Goal by Jamie Lyon
61 St Helens Try by Francis Meli
63 St Helens Goal missed by Jamie Lyon
Full Time: St Helens 12 Hull FC 8


Sharp happy with underdogs tag
Thu September 28, 2006
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC will go into Friday's Qualifying Play-Off with St Helens as underdogs and the Airlie Birds head coach Peter Sharp is more than happy that the bookmakers and media are writing his team off.

Bookies have made Hull 5/1 outsiders to claim a win at Knowsley Road, whilst the majority of the Rugby League media have been quick to write off The Black and Whites chances.

Peter Sharp, said: "I've no problems with going into the game as underdogs. All season we have flown under the radar, both as a team and individuals. Our players don't get the profile the Saints players do and as a team we have gone a little unnoticed considering we finished second.

"We have already won at St Helens, but we aren't focusing on that. That was in June and even a week in Rugby League is a long time. Both sides will be up for this battle and we must be ready, St Helens have quality players all over the field and can hurt teams. They also have weaknesses like any side and we are capable of beating them."

Despite finishing second in engage Super League Hull FC had just one representative in the Dream Team selected by the media. This week however The Black and Whites received some fantastic news with call ups for four players in the Great Britain squad.

Sharp added: "The Dream Team and awards like that are a matter of opinion, but being selected for Test Matches is a huge honours. I'm absolutely delighted for the four players in the squad. Gareth Raynor is one of the best wingers in the world, Richard Horne has been outstanding for us all year and Kirk Yeaman scored 21 tries and missed ten rounds. Garreth Carvell deserves the nod, he has been superb for me.

"It's pleasing also to see Paul Cooke and Lee Radford on stand-by. Radders has been first class, he's been a benchmark of consistency. He puts the overalls on and does the hard work for us. People talk about star players, but I wouldn't swap Lee Radford for anyone that's for sure.

"There aren't many tougher challenges in sport than to go to St Helens and win. One player that I'm a great admirer of is Kieron Cunningham. I knew all about him when I was in Australia, but I certainly didn't appreciate the full extent of his game.

"When you watch him weekly it's clear he is up there as one of the finest hookers in the world, in my opinion he is the finest in Super League at the moment. His game takes Saints forward and we must be aware of his threat."

News sent by: www.hullfc.com

Mon September 25, 2006
• engage Super League Finals Information - Week #2
  

Advanced Search