Hull FC fail to qualify for the playoffs after they were beaten 22-6 by league leaders St Helens.
MATCH DETAILS
Hull FC came into the fixture knowing a win would secure fifth place. The Black and Whites looked to get off to a good start, however it was closely matched in the early stages.
England international Tommy Makinson opened the scoring. A move which started on the left resulting in a long pass from Lachlan Coote to Makinson. In the form winger had three Hull defenders to beat, however he dived over in spectacular fashion.
The Saints extended their when the Hull defence was left open. Theo Fages put a kick towards the corner and Makinson strolled in for his second.
Hull looked to fight back when Scott Taylor dived over. Hull kept the ball alive through Jamie Shaul, who offloaded before the ball carrying arm hit the ground and he left Taylor to barge over from five metres.
The key moment in the match came around five minutes before half-time. Marc Sneyd grubbed a kick behind the defence, he regathered and as he dived for the line the ball came free resulting in a 20 metre restart. In the resulting set Makinson rounded off his hat-trick. Once again Coote passed to Makinson who had an open try line to run over. Saints led 14-6 at the break.
The second half was of few chances with the Saints controlling the Hull attacks, until the 65th minute. Once again Fages turned provider when his short pass found Mark Percival, who stepped inside and despite Carlos Tuimavave’s best efforts he was able to ground the ball.
Three minutes from time Reagan Grace got on the scoresheet. Coote with another assist after dragging defence his pass took out the defender and left the Welsh international Grace with an easy score.
FOUR POINTERS
Dominantย Saints
With a close regular season it has had numerous twists and turns apart from who won the league leaders shield. A 16 point lead the Merseyside club ended with over rivals Wigan. An 100% home record sets them in a good position to win their playoff match.
Sneyd Mistake
Marc Sneyd’s knock on before Saints scored a third proved costly. As he was unopposed it was a certain try which would have levelled the scores with five minutes of the half remaining. As a result it ended in a 10 point turn around which probably was too much for the Black and Whites.
Week Off for Saints
Due to the playoff schedule, St Helens will not play next weekend. As a result they will face the winners of Wigan vs Salford, meanwhile the losers will face whoever wins the Warrington vs Castleford match. In this system it means Saints will have two attempts to reach Old Trafford.
Poor Season for Hull
At one point in the season it looked so promising. Second in the league and a cup semi final Hull looked in contention in both competitions. However, defeat in the cup to Warrington as well as two wins in recent matches put them in this position. With numerous players leaving and arriving Hull will have to step up if they want to be challenging next season.
THE RESULT
Hull FC 6
Tries: Taylor
Goals: Sneyd
St Helens 22
Tries: Makinson 3, Percival, Grace
Goals: Coote
SQUADS
Hull FC: Shaul, Naulago, Tuimavave, Griffin, Faraimo, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Satae, Minichiello, Lane, Ellis
Interchanges:ย Bowden, Connor, Matongo, Fash
St Helens: Coote, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Fages, Thompson, Roby, Walmsley, Peyroux, Z. Taia, Knowles
Interchanges:ย McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Amor, Ashworth, Bentley
