Hull FC 6-60 St Helens: Highlights and match report

Despite being all square after 30 minutes, a 20 minute blitz from the Champions either side of halftime saw they plough through Hull FC and reach the 60-point mark edging closer to the League Leaders’ Shield.

The defeat leaves Hull FC 3 points off the play-offs.

Highlights:

Makinson tackle
A lot of focus will be on the tries Saints scored today, but it was a slow first 30 from the Champions with the game at 6-6 and just before he gave Saints the lead, Makinson conjured up a crucial tackle to deny Connor Wynne a try in a turning point in the game.

Hopoate back with a bang
When Hopoate has been fit he’s been sensational and was today playing a role in a number of lovely tries with his passing game being key. He also grabbed a try himself early on.

Saints back on the horse
This was exactly the result Saints needed after some under par performances recently. With their players back, they were sharp and dangerous after the 30 minute mark. They looked unstoppable and this was a sign they’re about to build momentum towards the end of the season again as they chase a fourth consecutive title.

Match Report:

A bad afternoon for Hull FC started well for the Black and Whites as they took a 6-0 lead thanks to Jack Walker which would be as good as things got for the home side.

He was found by a Jake Connor in the corner to give the home side a shock lead with Luke Gale nailing the conversion after he was sent off in the same fixture earlier this year.

Hull resurgently held onto their lead for over 10 minutes but eventually Will Hopoate crowned his comeback with a try as he supported a rampaging Konrad Hurrell who had been set clear by Jonny Lomax. Tommy Makinson’s goal levelled the scores.

After a few clunky performances, the Champions still looked clunky with even trustworthy players like Alex Walmsley making rare errors with the sides still level approaching the half hour mark and it was very nearly Hull who took the lead with Saints relying on Makinson to deny Connor Wynne.

Aptly, Makinson then got a try at the other end with Hopoate coming up with the assist this time. It was then two tries in four minutes as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook scored after good work from Agnatius Paasi and Lomax to make it 16-6.

A vital last 10 minutes of the half concluded with Saints’ fourth try which virtually ended the contest as Konrad Hurrell powered his way over. Exacerbating this 10 minute disaster, Jack Walker was forced off as his injury laden career sadly persists.

Remarkably, after Hurrell had scored in the 38th minute, LMS got a second try in the 39th minute as the afternoon edged into calamity for Hull. LMS showing his smarts to weave his way through.

The second half was worse for Hull FC as Saints exorcised their recent demons with a massive 40 minutes scoring 34 points without reply in the second 40.

It took three minutes for Saints to pick up from where they left off with Ben Davies reaching out for Saints’ sixth try. Before the first 10 minutes of the half was over, Hurrell was crossing for a second thanks to a brilliant Makinson offload.

Makinson then got over a try of his own, his second of the game. A team try this started well by Hopoate and Hurrell who combined to set the winger away. That made it 38 points for Saints in just over 20 minutes either side of halftime.

After Hopoate had crowned his comeback earlier with a try, Sione Mata’utia followed suit hitting a gap and going over to bring the half century when coupled with Makinson’s goal. It did come at a cost with Mata’utia limping off.

It didn’t stop the tide of tries as substitute Joey Lussick got in on the act with a lovely burst from halfway and the 60 point mark was reached by Davies’ second after a lovely move down the left.

A damaging day for Hull’s play-off hopes as Saints take a massive step towards a first League Leaders’ Shield since 2019 especially with Wigan coming up short at Wakefield. It also marks the day they got back to their best as they push for a record fourth consecutive Super League title.