Saints cruised to victory in a tough encounter, but a second half hatrick from Francis Meli and a drop goal from Sean Long ended any slim hopes the Hull faithful had of a comeback as St Helens retained top spot in the engage super league.

The Army of travelling fans must have thought they were in for a good night when both teams exchanged sets for twenty minutes until the mighty Saints  wall of defence was finally breached when full back Motu Tony rounded off a intricate passing play to race under the sticks, Danny Tickle added the extras and Hull led 0-6.

The St Helens response was to post three unanswered tries in 10 minutes, first Long sliced through and raced into the corner for a try then Clough crashed over from short range and finally Ade Gardner capitalized on a poor transition, Matt Sing throwing an awful pass to full back Motu Tony, but with long not fetching his kicking boots the score was respectable at 14-6 Tickle and Long exchanged penalty goals for a half time score of 16-8.

Mathew Head was sin binned for a professional foul after 38 minutes but Hull were resolute and actually won the 10 spell playing one man down 2-0 when Danny Tickle kicked a penalty for a 16-10 ball game but almost immediately as Head returned from the bin on the 49th minute, St Helens winger Meli got his first of three, finishing of a sweeping play to strolled in at the comer, 20-10

Long added a penalty goal after 55 minutes to stretch the lead to 22-10 but Tickle then put Matt Sing over in the corner and it was 22-14 and Hull would not go away, Saints though looked to have several more gears and on 66 minutes Meli got his second again strolling in after quick hands sent the ball from touch line to touch line, 26-14

On 75 minutes the Arlie Birds renewed their hopes of a draw when Graeme Horne pounced onto a deft kick out wide and when Danny Tickle slotted over a tremendous side line conversion and 5 minutes remaining the prospect of 1 point was within Hull’s grasp at 26-20.

But like true champions the Saints just stepped up the pace and marched up field and Sean Long calmly converted a drop goal on 78 minutes to end any chance of a draw at 27-20

Meli sealed the victory with his third of the half on 40 minutes to cap fine personal performance and maintain pole position for another week 31-20 was the final score.

Hull will be buoyed by the fact they were very competitive but will surely need to look at their penalty counts and completion rates if they are to mount a serious challenge to the big boys. 

St Helens looked in total control throughout but had to grind out the result which I feel will stand them in good stead in the run in to this years play offs, they have speed, skill and agility all over the park but they also have the muscle to arm wrestle opponents in set for set exchanges. 

This was a real good game and a brave effort by Hull but like most before them they just weren’t good enough on the day.

Wilkin filled in for Leon Pryce and Flannery slotted into Loose forward and with the likes of Clough and Hargreaves seamlessly fitting into the side in the absence of Sculthorpe and Cayless the Saints may well go marching in as they continue in their quest for back to back cup and league doubles.

Best for St Helens:

Long, Wilkin, Flannery, Fozzard and Meli

Best for Hull:

Tickle, R. Horne, Manu and Dowes