Challenge Cup highlights

Saints edged a pulsating Challenge Cup Final, showing real mettle to come from behind to beat Hull FC 28-16.

In blistering conditions, Saints dominated most of the first half but only had Gidley and a spectacular Francis Meli try to show for their endeavours.

Daniel Anderson’s men used their pace in the backs to clear their lines on numerous occasions and it gave the Saints the vast majority of field position.

But early in the second half, Kirk Yeaman scooted 80 yards to get Hull back in it before he doubled his tally from short range.

Danny Tickle then put Hull ahead with his conversion but Meli got his second to edge Saints ahead once more.

But real grit and determination from Jon Wilkin settled the game when he charged down a kick to race 40 yards.

There was a late score from Gareth Raynor to jangle the nerves, but Saints held out and Leon Pryce scored late on to make it safe.

Good news for Saints before the match was that Maurie Fa’asavalu came through a week of gruelling fitness tests to take a spot on the bench.

Club Captain Paul Sculthorpe started at loose forward with Lee Gilmour as substitute. With Jason Cayless unlucky with injury last weekend, Bryn Hargreaves started at prop alongside skipper Keiron Cunningham – who was playing in his ninth Challenge Cup Final.

Hull have had a torrid time with injuries recently but fielded a strong line up which included Richard Horne on the bench after a long lay off with a neck injury.

Dykes wasn’t fit to play, so all eyes were on Tommy Lee at scrum half.

After a most appropriate minute’s silence for Don Fox, Hull got the game underway, kicking towards a well shaded West Stand.

Scully came off after the first couple of minutes with what looked to be a dislocated shoulder. That meant an early call to arms for Lee Gilmour who moved into the second row. Chris Flannery taking the loose forward berth.

Sean Long then tried out his first bomb but Byrne was equal to the task.

On six minutes Berrigan kicked to the corner but Raynor just couldn’t gather it in.

A minute later, Saints had their first set of six on Hull’s line after a nice play on the last forced a knock on. And from the scrum, the ball went right, into the hands of Gidley and it was 4-0. Long short with the extras.

Francis Meli then knocked a chip through dead on the second attempt to give Hull a drop out.

On 13 minutes, another knock on from Hull was almost punished but Ade Gardner just couldn’t put down over the line.

At the other end Byrne tried his luck with a chip through but it was just too long and always covered by Francis Meli.

Saints then turned defence into pure blistering attack. Hull lost the ball over the Saints’ line, Graham tapped it at the 25 metre mark, then Francis Meli hand off three defenders on his way to a scintillating 80 metre score. Long with the extras.

On Saints next set, Willie Talau broke through with men either side of him – but his inside pass was put to ground.

From there, Hull went right up the other end and almost got through; Saints defence just doing enough.

On the half hour mark, Saints had a try ruled out when Maurie Fa’asavalu’s pass just edged forward to Willie Talau. The move had come after Paul Wellens had picked up a loose ball in his own 10 metre area, then sidestepped his way up the field.

Saints were clearly capable of scoring tries from all over the field but that final slice of luck was just evading a notch up on the scoreboard.

Then, with four minutes to go, Pryce – as he had been threatening to all game – broke through, got it off to Meli who just couldn’t ground as the was going into touch. It was unlucky, but clearly the right decision from the video referee.

Half Time: Hull FC 0 Saints 10

Lee Radford tested out Francis Meli on the first set of the second half, but his kick went just dead.

Tom Briscoe was then hauled down after a break of 50 metres – the young lad coming off worse from the tackle and leaving the field.

But seconds later a loose pass was returned with interest by Yeaman from well inside his own half to make it game on. Tickle with the extras.

Saints needed to heed the warning and step up in what was becoming a real battle of a cup tie.

And on 49 minutes, Leon put up an amazing bomb which Wellens followed up to crunch Byrne in his own in goal area. From the restart, Wellens and James Graham drove Saints to within metres but they couldn’t unlock a steadfast defence.

Minutes later, Saints won the ball in midfield and charged down the middle. On a worked move, Long broke through and touched down, but the video referee was instructed to look for crossing. And, as expected, Klein gave the decision Hull’s way, ruling Chris Flannery had come into the attacking line.

It was another respite for Hull and moments later a Sean Long tackle dislodged the ball as they nearly drew level.

On 61 minutes, Hull chipped through and won a repeat set right on Saints’ line. And after three strong drives, Yeaman popped up again to equalise.

Danny Tickle with the extras to send them ahead.

That lead lasted four minutes. Hull were penalised for lying on and three tackles later it was wide and Meli strolled in for his second. Long with a magnificent conversion from the touchline.

And Jon Wilkin charged down a kick with ten minutes to go and raced 40 yards to put down.

There was a late sting in the tail when Raynor went over in the corner – off a forward pass – giving Saints just five minutes to hold out.

And they did more than that – Pryce going over to hand Saints the cup once again.

Match Summary

Hull FC:
Tries: Yeaman (2)
Goals: Tickle (2 from 3)

Saints:
Tries: Gidley, Meli (2), Wilkin, Pryce
Goals: Long (4 from 5)

Penalties:
Hull FC: 6
Saints: 5

HT (Sts First): 10-0

FT (Sts First): 28-16

REF: Steve Ganson

ATT: 82,821

Teams:

Hull FC:

25. Todd Byrne; 2. Matt Sing, 17. Graeme Horne, 3. Kirk Yeaman, 5. Gareth Raynor; 13. Danny Washbrook, 23. Tommy Lee; 8. Ewan Dowes, 9. Shaun Berrigan, 26. Peter Cusack, 16. Willie Manu, 12. Danny Tickle, 11. Lee Radford.
Subs: 6. Richard Horne, 10. Garreth Carvell, 27. Tom Briscoe. 31. Jamie Thackray.

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 17. James Graham, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 12. Jon Wilkin, 16. Chris Flannery, 13. Paul Sculthorpe.
Subs: 11. Lee Gilmour, 14. James Roby, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.