Ben Davies, Jon Bennison (two), Jack Welsby scored tries as St Helens came from behind in the second half to win the Super League at home against Hull FC; Scott Taylor and Jake Clifford score tries for Black and Whites in defeat
Jack Welsby was among the try scorers as St Helens came from behind in the second half to beat Hull.
St Helens winger Jon Bennison claimed a couple of tries as the reigning Super League champions were forced to seek their first win in three games over Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Hull FC had conceded almost 100 points from their last two games in losses against Salford Red Devils and Catalans Dragons, but they put in a battling performance that saw them take a 6-4 lead early in the second half thanks to a converted try by Scott Taylor.
Ben Davies and Jack Welsby also scored tries for the Saints, while backup goalkeeper Joey Lussick kicked two goals from three tries.
Jon Bennison scored twice as the Saints cruised to a valuable Super League win
Hull raised hopes of a late comeback with Jake Clifford’s try also converting, but the Saints came home to a win that would have pleased manager Paul Wellens.
On 10 minutes, Hull winger Adam Swift was turned away by a brave tackle from Davies which saw the Saints winger receive treatment and had to wear a head bandage for the remainder of the game.
Saints had a golden opportunity in the 24th minute when Swift and Josh Griffin combined to prevent Jack Welsby from scoring in the corner. From the restart, the ball drifted to the opposite wing and Bennison dived only to see him canceled out for a forward pass.
Ben Davies got the only try of the first half, just before the break for the lead
Hull managed to hold off the Saints until the last minute of the first half when a short shot from Clifford went straight to winger Davies, who ran straight to the Test line, rebounding for the first points of the game.
Hull showed that the Saints’ try had not dented their resolve when they scored eight minutes into the second half. Scott Taylor broke through from close range and somehow managed to connect the ball despite having three defenders wrapped around him. Clifford’s conversion gave Hull a 6–4 lead.
The try certainly fired up the Saints and after forcing a retirement, Tee Ritson nearly went into the corner and moments later, a no-look pass from Welsby to Bennison saw the winger cut through the box brilliantly, scoring from 10 yards and Lussick converted. .
Bennison slalomed to score St Helens’ crucial third try
A third try from the Saints with 19 minutes remaining seemed to have settled the challenge from Hull FC. An excellent offload at tackle from James Bell saw Welsby in support to score a try on his 22nd birthday. Lussick got the difficult conversion to open up a 10 point lead.
But Hull FC came back, a great tackle from Chris Satae and Brad Dwyer saw Curtis Sironen fumble and Clifford had an easy task to pick up the ball and run towards the try line. Clifford’s conversion meant Hull trailed only 16–12 with 16 minutes remaining.
Saints clinched the win with two minutes remaining when Bennison went off in the corner.
Bennison scored the Saints’ fourth try into the corner to clinch the win
