| St Helens (8) 30 |
| Tries: Percival, Dodd, Lomax, Welsby 2 Objectives: Percival 5 |
| Hull FC (0) 12 |
| Tries: Martin, Scott Objectives: Hoy 2 |
St Helens recorded a ninth successive Tremendous League win with a snug victory over Hull FC however missed out on retaining the League Leaders’ Defend.
They end the common season in third and can face Warrington Wolves at residence within the eliminators on 30 September.
Mark Percival, Lewis Dodd, Jonny Lomax and Jack Welsby, with two, scored the tries with Lewis Martin and Cameron Scott crossing for the guests.
Hull, who suffered a sixth straight loss, end the season in tenth.
Given they wanted an enormous win or favours from elsewhere to have any likelihood of claiming the League Leaders’ Defend, there was shock when Saints opted to take the 2 factors from an early Percival aim as a substitute of going for a attempt.
In actual fact, Percival’s attempt was the one one within the first half as they squandered a couple of probabilities and located Hull stubborn opponents.
Nevertheless, they solely wanted to attend two minutes after the break for one more as Dodd chased Jonny Lomax’s kick to dive over.
Academy graduate Martin then scored on his Tremendous League debut to scale back the arrears for the Black and Whites, however Lomax and Welsby’s two scores made sure of the win regardless of a attempt from Hull centre Scott.
Nevertheless, with Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons each successful, there was nothing the Saints might do as they ended the common season in third, their lowest end since 2017.
However since a slender residence defeat by Catalans after which a shock Problem Cup semi-final loss to Leigh Leopards in successive weeks in July, Saints have slipped into prime gear.
Paul Wellens’ aspect go into the play-offs in nice kind, though their path is more durable this time round.
In the event that they first get previous Warrington on the Completely Depraved Stadium, they’d then must win in Perpignan in opposition to Catalans to even attain the Grand Closing.
However given their illustrious historical past, by no means write off St Helens with regards to the play-offs.
Hull FC head coach Tony Smith informed BBC Radio Humberside:
“The hassle was good, however we misplaced, and we deserved to lose.
“However so long as you will have a dig for one another and your team-mates, the badge and the membership that pays you, that is all you’ll be able to ask.
“I used to be happy and proud how the boys went about their enterprise tonight.”
St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Hurrell, Percival, Hopoate; Lomax, Dodd; Mata’utia, Roby, Lees, Batchelor, Sironen, Knowles.
Interchanges: Walmsley, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Delaney, Mbye.
Hull FC: Litten; Martin, Tuimavave, Scott, McIntosh; Hoy, Clifford; Satae, Dwyer, Taylor, Lane, Fash, Cator.
Interchanges: Lovodua, Brown, Gardiner, Jebson.
Referee: Ben Thaler.