Carnegie Challenge cup final post match on SLTV

Monday 1st September 08

Carnegie Challenge Cup kings St Helens survived an almighty second-half scare to secure a third straight final success with a win over injury-hit Hull FC at Wembley.

Daniel Anderson’s men had appeared to be coasting towards a 12th showpiece win after opening up a 10-0 half-time lead through tries from Matt Gidley and Francis Meli, despite losing club captain Paul Sculthorpe to a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Richard Agar’s Hull side fought back heroically in the second half and two tries from Kirk Yeaman briefly put them on course for what would have been an incredible victory.

But St Helens’ big-game experience shone through with further tries from Meli, Jon Wilkin and Leon Pryce ensuring that Anderson will leave at the end of the year having only tasted defeat in the competition once, ironically against Hull in the 2005 semi-finals.

Sculthorpe’s afternoon was brought to an abrupt end within the first two minutes, as he was led from the field after a collision with Byrne. 

Hull then carved out the first chance of the game and could have gone ahead had Gareth Raynor’s knock-down from Lee’s kick bounced more kindly for Willie Manu.

But as they often do, Saints hit straight back and after a knock-on from Byrne the ball was sent wide to Paul Wellens who drew in two tackles before handing Matt Gidley the simplest of opening tries with seven minutes gone.

A neat kick from Shaun Berrigan nearly saw Francis Meli cough up an error and provide Matt Sing with a score as Hull probed for a response, although they were fortunate to see Ade Gardner spill possession as he powered his way over after a poor error from Sing.

Horne was introduced after 17 minutes and was dumped to the ground after 10 seconds by James Graham, before Graham was again at his best creating an opportunity for Meli to race the length of the field and score after shaking off the attentions of Sing.

Sean Long slotted his first conversion for a 10-point lead.

Some strong running from Sing nearly created a try for Graeme Horne in the corner, but the pair’s defensive partnership was proving costly for Hull as both Meli and Willie Talau made light work of shaking them off at will.

With Hull losing possession regularly, it took some heroic defending to stop Wellens and Gardner stretching the holder’s lead, before referee Steve Ganson ruled out a try for Talau following a forward pass from Fa’asavalu.

Despite only leading by 10, St Helens were in complete control and could have had a third score just before the hooter, only for the video referee to deem that Meli made a double movement when squeezing in at the corner.

Tom Briscoe’s afternoon was also ended prematurely as he was carried off with an ankle injury just two minutes after the interval.

But Agar’s beleaguered side soon received a timely boost as Kirk Yeaman picked off a pass from Cunningham to race 80 metres to the line despite a gallant chase from Leon Pryce.

Danny Tickle slotted the goal to bring the deficit to four points.

Hull were looking more comfortable and there looked to be a good chance of a dramatic comeback, although they had to survive a scare when Long had a try ruled out for an obstruction caused by Chris Flannery.

A rare error from Wellens then provided Hull with some excellent field position and this time they were able to cash in, as Richard Horne and Manu combined to send Yeaman powering over for his second try to level the scores.

Tickle kept his composure to slot the goal from the touchline and edge his side in front.

But as champions sides do, Saints responded almost instantly and were soon back in front when Pryce resisted Horne’s tackle to stand a pass up to Meli who slipped in for his second try.

Long matched Tickle to slot the goal from out wide and Jon Wilkin then charged down Danny Washbrook’s kick and collected the loose ball to race unchallenged to the line.

Hull did hint at another comeback with Gareth Raynor’s try in the corner but it proved to be in vain as Pryce rounded things off with a late solo effort from close range.