Saints march past Hull

Meli: brace of tries

St Helens registered their first Engage Super League win in four matches with a hard-fought 28-14 triumph over Hull at the Stobart Stadium.

Francis Meli grabbed two of the home side's five tries to help them bounce back after defeats to arch-rivals Wigan and Warrington in the last two weeks.

Tom Briscoe did touch down twice for the Airlie Birds, though the winger's second was no more than a consolation in the final minute.

Jordan Turner also crossed but the visitors, who had come into the contest on a three-match winning run, were always second best on their travels.

Good charges

It was Hull who had the first chance of the game when, following good charges from the pack, Danny Tickle was held up just short of the line.

Saints responded to the scare with young winger Tommy Makinson charging for the corner before being forced into touch just as he seemed set to open the scoring.

However St Helens finally made the pressure count after 14 minutes when Chris Flannery showed some neat footwork for a forward to get over.

Jamie Foster added the conversion to make it 6-0 and Saints soon hit double figures when a superb run from James Graham eventually led to Meli forcing his way over.

The winger didn't have to wait long for his second score, going over again just two minutes later, despite the attention of two tacklers.

Having leaked 14 points in the space of seven minutes, Hull hit back with a try of their own when Cameron Phelps and Kirk Yeaman combined to send Briscoe flying in at the corner.

They continued to push hard towards the end of the first half but they were unable to convert their periods of pressure into any further points.

Gap closed

Eventually, though, they did find a way through to the line again. Shortly after the interval centre Turner forced his way past Meli to ground the ball. Tickle missed his second conversion attempt, leaving the gap at six points.

Saints, though, nudged further ahead with a penalty from Foster before they gained the crucial try of the contest shortly after the hour mark.

Sia Soliola sent Makinson away down the right and with Foster knocking over the extras, Royce Simmons' side suddenly had a comfortable cushion.

Half-back Jonny Lomax sealed the two points when he dummied to create a hole for him to burst through, Foster again adding the goal.

Briscoe's second of the night gave Hull the last word, Joe Westerman rounding out the scoring with the conversion, though Saints were already home and dry by then.