Round 22
St Helens 31 d. Hull FC 20

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

St Helens withstand gutsy Hull FC effort
Mon August 6, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

St Helens fought off Hull FC's early bluster and stormed back to take a four-point lead at the head of the engage Super League table with a hard-earned victory.

Francis Meli's second-half hat-trick set up the win as a late Graeme Horne try gave the travelling Hull fans hope until the end.

Australian Chris Flannery was Saints' only change, replacing banned stand-off Leon Pryce.

In contrast, Hull were again without six first-team regulars - Shaun Briscoe, Gareth Raynor, Garreth Carvell, Wayne Godwin, Kirk Yeaman and Shane McMenemy

Yet, it was Hull - seeking a fifth successive win - who started better despite some lively input from Saints prop Nick Fozzard.

Urged on by a large and vocal following, Hull looked set to challenge for a fifth successive win as the Saints found it difficult to prise open the hard-working Hull defence.

Sean Long tried to breach the Hull line with a deft chip over Motu Tony, only to see the fullback charge it down and clear.

Saints were dealt an injury blow when second-rower, Lee Gilmour, was forced to leave the field nursing his jaw after a clattering tackle by Richard Whiting.

And Hull struck quickly to snatch the lead on 20 minutes with Tony supporting a Willie Manu drive deep into Saints territory before latching on to the forward's deft pass to cross between the posts.

But Saints hit back quickly - running in three tries in six minutes, sparked by mercurial halfback Long.

Long's acceleration took him through a gap on an angled run to the left corner.

Then Paul Clough ploughed over from close-range, edging Saints 8-6 ahead.

And Saints were eight points clear after Jon Wilkin pounced on a Tony fumble in front of the Hull posts, with Matt Gidley's pass sending Ade Gardner over and Long adding the touchline conversion.

Danny Tickle edged Hull closer with a 34th-minute penalty.

But Matt Head was sin-binned on 38-minutes when his high-tackle stopped a Gardner try. This after Flannery and Gidley had released the winger down the right.

A Long penalty closed out the half with Saints leading 16-8.

Tickle's penalty opened the second half scoring with Head rejoining the game from the sin-bin.

Saints responded with winger Francis Meli finishing off a quick handling move by taking Willie Talau's final pass to stroll in at the left corner.

Long missed the conversion but soon added a penalty, after another Tony fumble caught Hull offside, to open a 20-10 lead.

But Hull were not giving up lightly and Matt Sing pounced to score in the right corner on the hour mark. The penalty kicks of Long ensured a two-score cushion for the home time.

Another score at the left corner for Meli looked to have sealed a comfortable win with Long adding a penalty for a 26-14 lead.

But Horne chased down a Richard Whiting kick for a terrific try at the right corner and Tickle's touchline conversion ensured a nervy finish for Saints.

The home side responded with Long sending over a 77th-minute drop goal before Meli struck again to grab his hat-trick score. Maurie Fa'asavalu failed with the conversion attempt.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Anderson hails gutsy Hull


Airlie News - Hull FC v St Helens
Fri August 3, 2007
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC head to Knowsley Road tomorrow to face Challenge Cup finalists and reigning champions St Helens. It has hardly been a happy hunting ground for Hull over the years. They will again rely on their young talent, but they are pumped up and itching to have a crack at the Saints.

Hull FC coach Peter Sharp admitted he would prefer to be going to Knowsley Road with a few more of his senior players in the squad, but he said: "Whatever side we put out we'll give a good account of ourselves."

With Hull's record at Knowsley Road any trip is a daunting one but with eight of their top 18 players from the start of the season missing through injury, retirement or having moved on the task becomes enormous.

Sharp admits: "It's a massive challenge for us but we are going into the game on the back of four straight wins and with plenty of confidence.

"Our recent improving performances and results have put a spring in everyone's step at the club and over the last couple of weeks our youngsters have be magnificent and really stood up to the challenge.

"I am sure they will see this game as a new and exciting challenge for them and an opportunity for them to show just how good and committed they are."

Sharp knows if his side want to repeat last season's nail-biting 27-26 victory they will have to win the forward battle.

A key to Hull achieving that will be prop Ewan Dowes who has hit a good run of form recently to the delight of his coach.

"Ewan is showing a bit of form," said Sharp. "His first carry against Salford laid the tone for the rest of the game, which was very strong and hard."

Why has his form turned? Sharp explained: "What we have encouraged is running hard and if you do that everything else comes off it.

"He is now running hard and now we're seeing that it is opening up other avenues for him, like the occasional offload."

Dowes' handling skills haven't been something he has exploited often but it is an area he's improving in and Sharp added: "Maybe it's something which has stopped him getting in the GB team.

"He's a good crafter, he's a good defence and an outstanding engine but distribution hasn't been a strong point.

"We are a pretty skills based coaching staff and we throw plenty of skills into our sessions. It is something we have worked on and we're seeing a benefit."

Asked to put his finger on one area he believes has helped his side turn the corner, Sharp said: "Everyone running with more vigour and purpose and that has been our big improvement, particularly in the forwards."

MILESTONES:
Shaun Briscoe is two games short of his 100th for Hull FC.

Gareth Raynor is still looking for his first try at the KC Stadium this season.

Kirk Yeaman is six games away from his 150th and needs four points for 300.

Richard Horne needs three tries for a career century and five for his 100 for Hull.

Garreth Carvell is four games away from his 150th Hull appearance. He has made 61 starts and come off the bench 85 times. He also needs 12 points for his 100.

Motu Tony is 16 points away from his 100.

Paul King needs 15 more points to hit the century mark.

Danny Washbrook is seven games away from his 50th.

Danny Tickle needs just four points for 150 for Hull.

Craig Hall is now 12 points away from a 100 for the club after scoring two tries against Salford.

BIRTHDAYS:
No Hull player has a birthday in August.

September:
Kirk Yeaman - 15th
Danny Washbrook - 19th
Danny Houghton - 25th

INJURY NEWS:
Shaun Briscoe - broken jaw, needs to put weight on but he is on target for Warrington, August 12.

Wayne Godwin had his pot off and hopes to be back for Warrington home game.

Garreth Carvell - groin injury, target Warrington.

Kirk Yeaman - ankle ligaments, has had his pot off and started running

Shayne McMenemy out for season after shoulder operation.

LEADING POINTS SCORERS:

TRIES:
12 - Craig Hall
11 - Matt Sing
10 - Richard Horne
8 - Shaun Briscoe
7 - Kirk Yeaman, Danny Tickle
6 - Willie Manu

GOALS:
59 - Danny Tickle
20 - Craig Hall

POINTS:
146 - Danny Tickle
88 - Craig Hall

RECORD AGAINST ST HELENS IN LAST 30 YEARS:
Games 32, won 5, lost 27

Last win, 2006 (27-26), previous victory October 16, 1988, 20-9

LAST SIX AT ST HELENS:
2006:
September 29: St Helens 12, Hull FC 8 (Play-Off semi final)
June 8: St Helens 26, Hull FC 27

2005:
July 10: St Helens 18, Hull FC 10

2004:
March 28: St Helens 31, Hull FC 26 (Challenge Cup, Round 6)
February 20: St Helens 30, Hull FC 16

2003:
August 9: St Helens 28, Hull FC 18

News sent by: www.hullfc.com

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