Round 15
Hull FC 6 l. St Helens 30

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Wellens and Long inspire Saints to impressive win
Sat June 6, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Sean Long gave Hull FC's fans a tantalising glimpse of their future and a stark reminder of their present as he inspired St Helens to a record-equalling 30-6 engage Super League win at the KC Stadium.

The mercurial scrum-half, one of the most decorated and recognisable players of the modern era, announced on Monday that he would be joining Hull at the end of the season after 12 years with the Saints, but there was no suggestion of any divided loyalties for the 32-year-old as he inspired Mick Potter's side to a fifth successive win.

The victory was also their 15th straight success away from home, equalling a record set by Bradford in 1997, and brought about a ninth defeat in 11 outings for his future employers who have been crying out for someone of his creativity in the half-back position for the last two years.

They must wait another six months for that to become a reality, though, and were forced to watch on as Long had a hand in five of Saints' six tries, three of which were scored by Paul Wellens to take his current scoring run to 10 in six games.

Having secured a fourth successive Challenge Cup final appearance last weekend, the Saints started off sluggishly and were forced to absorb some early Hull pressure before opening the scoring through Jonny Lomax.

The teenager's score, his first in senior rugby, came after a flowing move that involved Long, although the man of the moment was unable to convert from the touchline.

Better was to come from the former Great Britain international who was soon creating a try for Wellens with a slick inside ball following an even better break from the equally impressive Jon Wilkin. Long found his range on this occasion.

The 10-point deficit between the two sides woke up Hull and they nearly scored after an off-the-cuff move involving three players that ended up with Chris Thorman, their current and beleaguered scrum-half, being held close to the line.

Their persistence was soon rewarded, though, as Danny Tickle, the only man to score in every round of this season's competition, went over following a forward-looking pass from Richard Horne. Tickle converted with ease.

Saints then showed their champion qualities to score before the break, with Wellens darting over moments after Long had opened his box of tricks once more with a weaving run.

The visitors remained in the ascendancy after the restart yet had to wait until the 53rd minute to post a fourth try.

Inevitably Long was at the heart of the action, putting up a high bomb that appeared destined to go out on the full until it bounced within an inch of the whitewash and sprung backwards into the arms of Wellens who gratefully completed a first hat-trick of the season.

Saints' dominance continued as Kieron Cunningham, one of only two players to have played in all 15 away wins, went close, before Long laid on a simple try for Lee Gilmour which leaves him on 49 for the club.

Long failed with the goal, but was able to slot his third of the game with five minutes remaining after he and Matty Ashurst had combined to send Maurie Fa'asavalu cantering over for a score that completed Hull's misery.


Airlie News: Hull FC v St Helens
Fri June 5, 2009
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC Head Coach Richard Agar has an unchanged squad to pick from for Friday night's clash with St Helens at the KC Stadium.

The make up of the side is still undecided with a number of players looking to try and secure at least a place on the bench as the Black and Whites look for a positive response from last week's 46-16 defeat against Leeds at Headingley.

"It was difficult to hide my emotions after last weeks game. It is difficult to hide it in the changing room when you have to tell your boys they didn't do great and they didn't, there was some ordinary individual showings," Agar said.

"But we've still got an awful lot to play for this year, we are in the eight and we've got to make sure we stay there, starting with a good performance against Saints."

Attention around Friday's clash has increased dramatically following an interesting week in the transfer market for Hull, which saw them land two new faces for 2010 in the form of Jordan Tansey, and ironically, Saints' star Sean Long.

"It always seems to work like this doesn't it," Agar said.

"It is a massive boost for the club, we are getting the most decorated player in the game at the moment. He controls the team and brings big game experience and as far as I'm concerned he is the best at what he does."

The Old Faithful are sure to give Long a warm reception when he walks out at the KC Stadium this weekend, but will be hopeful he doesn't steer a formidable Saints side on to another comfortable win.

Last time out Mick Potter's side cruised to victory against the Airlie Birds at Knowsley Road over the Easter period and Agar has been impressed with their season so far.

"Their transition from one coach to another seems to have gone well and for them it's business as usual, they're where we've got used to them being on top spot and going well in the cup as well," he said.

"We have to go toe to toe with them, it is the only way to stop them playing on the front foot. They don't always give you opportunities, so we need to make the most of every opportunity," he added.

One player who could be Hull FC's thorn in St Helens' side is the instrumental Aussie Shaun Berrigan.

The hooker made his return from a knee injury at Headingley, alongside fellow comeback stars Gareth Raynor and Motu Tony, who all impressed at Leeds.

However, Berrigan still feels last weeks performance was way under par.

"Defensively we were poor and it was disappointing. It was unacceptable and I think the boys were embarrassed by it, but the beauty of Super League is you have another game next week and a chance to put it right," he said.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old feels the squad are still strong enough to climb back up the table and thinks taking on a team as good as the Saints has come at the right time.

"It is the kind of game we need, it will be tough so we will have to defend well. If we do this we'll certainly be in the game so lets see how we go.

"We know it is a big game, but it is just two points. We are in the eight, and we've got to keep getting the points from now on to make sure we stay there."

He added, "Every team has the goal of being in the eight, so we need to make sure we are comfortably there and not fighting for it at the end of the season. Our fate is in our own hands and we have to make sure we get there."

SQUADS
Hull FC have named an unchanged 19-man squad for the game.

St Helens will be without Gary Wheeler after a knock against Gateshead last week but Francis Meli and Lee Gilmour return.

HULL: Motu Tony, 2. Mark Calderwood, 4. Kirk Yeaman, 5. Gareth Raynor, 6. Richard Horne, 7. Chris Thorman, 8. Ewan Dowes, 9. Shaun Berrigan, 11. Lee Radford (c), 12. Danny Tickle, 14. Richard Whiting, 18. Jamie Thackray, 19. Paul King, 20. Danny Houghton, 22. Mike Burnett, 23. Tommy Lee, 25. Dominic Maloney, 27. Sam Moa, 29. Jodie Broughton.

SAINTS: Paul Wellens, 3. Matt Gidley, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long, 9. Keiron Cunningham (c), 10. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Chris Flannery, 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 16. Tony Puletua, 17. Paul Clough, 18. Kyle Eastmond, 19. Chris Dean, 23. Maurie Fa'asavalu, 28. Matty Ashurst, 30. Jonny Lomax.

REF: Phil Bentham
KO: 8pm

STATS
Last Meeting: St Helens 44-22 Hull FC- Knowsley Road (Mon 13th Apr)- 13,684

Last Results: Leeds 46-16 Hull FC, Gateshead 6-66 St Helens (CC)

Head 2 Head
Home: played 12, won 6, drawn 0, lost 6, for 282, against 248
Away: played 13, won 1, drawn 0, lost 11, for 248, against 471
Total: played 25, won 7, drawn 0, lost 18, for 530, against 719

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