In order to defeat Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium and earn their first victory in three games, St Helens’ winger Jon Bennison scored a pair of tries.
Hull FC put out a valiant effort that allowed them to take a 6-4 lead early in the second half thanks to a converted try by Scott Taylor after they had given up almost 100 points in their previous two games in losses to Salford Red Devils and Catalans Dragons.
For Saints, Ben Davies and Jack Welsby both scored tries, and substitute goalie Joey Lussick converted two of his three kicks for goals.
Jake Clifford’s try for Hull, which he also converted, gave the team hope of a late comeback, but Saints prevailed to the satisfaction of coach Paul Wellens.
After Davies made a courageous tackle on Hull winger Adam Swift in the 10th minute, the Saints winger had to obtain medical attention and wear a headbandage for the remainder of the game.
Swift and Josh Griffin worked together to deny Jack Welsby a goal in the corner in the 24th minute, giving Saints a huge opportunity. Bennison dived over after the ball was moved to the opposing wing following the restart, only to have it called back for a forward pass.
Up until the very last second of the first half, Hull was able to contain the Saints. However, the game’s first points were scored when winger Davies easily crossed the try line after receiving a short drop-out kick from Clifford.
Hull scored eight minutes into the second half to demonstrate that Saints’ try had not weakened their determination. With three defenders surrounding him, Scott Taylor forced his way over from close range and somehow managed to ground the ball. Clifford’s conversion gave Hull a 6-4 advantage.
The touchdown undoubtedly gave Saints a boost. After forcing a drop-out, Tee Ritson nearly scored at the corner, and then, shortly after, a no-look throw from Welsby to Bennison resulted in the winger making a fantastic in-field cut and scoring from 10 meters with Lussick’s conversion.
With 19 minutes left, a third Saints try appeared to have put an end to Hull FC’s challenge. Welsby, who turned 22 this year, scored a try in support thanks to a great offload by James Bell during the tackle. Lussick made the challenging convert to gain a 10-point advantage.
Back came Hull FC, and after a strong hit from Chris Satae and Brad Dwyer caused Curtis Sironen to loose the ball, it was Clifford’s job to pick it up and sprint to the tryline. With 16 minutes left, Hull was only down 16-12 thanks to Clifford’s conversion.
When Bennison crossed through in the corner with two minutes left, Saints secured the victory.
