Hull FC’s youngsters were comprehensively beaten by league leaders St Helens in the Academy Championship Semi-Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The Saints looked to have the game wrapped up in the opening quarter of an hour, as three quickfire tries, including one by Super League regular Harry Robertson gave the hosts the perfect start.
Cobie Wainhouse pulled a try back for the Black & Whites, but Saints class told with a comfortable victory.
Team News
Hull FC’s youngsters named four members of the Senior squad for their trip to the Totally Wicked Stadium for the Academy Championship Semi-Final.
Jack Charles started at full back, just two days after playing 80 minutes in the first team’s clash with Salford Red Devils, playing at full back.
Ryan Westerman and Will Hutchinson, both of whom have recently been awarded first team squad numbers started, Hutchinson leading the side out as captain, alongside Cobie Wainhouse who continued his promising return from injury after a year out with an ACL tear.
Francis Cummins men were unable to call on influential players Ben Johnson, Joe Ward, Owen Haldenby, Roman Dawson, and Will Kirby through injury.
For Saints, Harry Robertson, who has made his mark on Super League started the match at stand-off, as the League Leaders were also able to call on Owen Dagnall and George Whitby from Paul Wellens’ senior squad.
The Match
Hull couldn’t have wished for a worse start to the match, Saints opening the scoring within the first five minutes.
An error from kick off resulted in a drop out from Hull, with the pressure defended well, but a penalty on the first play of the next set gave the hosts an opportunity they didn’t pass up. Robertson taking the ball to the line on the last, passed inside to Roberts who jinked his way past Charles to score.
Charles then put the kick off out on the full, and again Hull were made to pay, Dagnall skipping across the line and putting Garmston through a gap to score.
Hull were made to pay once again, as they gave away a third penalty, each of which resulted in a try in the following set. This time, after a smart kick from Kemp a high tackle was given, and this time Robertson stepped through the line to reach out next to the posts.
After the initial flurry of tries, Hull grew into the game, but it was Saints to score next half way through the opening half, as Alfie Tate broke through the middle and the ball found its way wide to winger Anderson to reach over and score. Whitby’ conversion from the touchline was his fourth of the night.
Hull’s first spell of sustained pressure came on the half hour mark, as Cobie Wainouse carried strongly to earn a six again, before Saints were offside in stopping Callum Kemp close to the line.
That pair combined for Hull’s opening score, Saints defence rushing up the close down Kemp, and he kicked through smartly for Wainhouse to get to the loose ball. Charles’ conversion from the touchline was perfect in converting the try.
Hull continued to grow into the game, winning a penalty from the kick off set, before Kemp, who was pulling the strings from halfback earned a goal line drop out with a smart grubber.
Lennon Clark was held up over the line, but on the next play Hull panicked and a kick went dead on the fourth tackle.
Hull continued to build pressure late into the half, but again a poor kick close to the line let Saints off the hook.
Half Time: St Helens 24 – 6 Hull FC
Hull started the second half as they’d finished the first, but again, a lack of composure when in good field position ended their chances of scoring.
And their chances of winning the game looked to be extinguished when they were punished by Matthew Evans, spinning out of a tackle close to the Hull line.
After that, the second half was end to end but defences remained on top, both sides moving into good field position but unable to convert their chances, Hull’s defence battling hard to defend their line.
With fifteen minutes to go though, that resistance broke, Robertson’s fingertips all over the play once again, jinking out of dummy half and kicking short for himself, to get his second of the game.
That was to be the final score of the evening, with Hull’s youngster putting up an impressive showing that ultimately wasn’t to be enough after the League Leader’s red hot start – a late penalty goal for Whitby was the final points of the match.
Full Time: St Helens 38 – 6 Hull FC
The Lineups:
St Helens: Louie Roberts, Ellis Anderson, Matthew Penketh, Owen Dagnall, Elliot Jamieson, Harry Robertson, George Whitby, Daniel Frost, Tom Humphreys, Oliver Polec, Billy Keeley, Oliver Garmston, Cole Marsh; Alfie Tate, Matthew Evans, Oliver Stankevitch, Reece Robinson
Hull FC: Jack Charles, Callum Barfield, Lloyd Kemp, Ryan Westerman, Elliot Middlemas, Joe Thompson, Callum Kemp, Jon Turner, Will Hutchinson, Will Wilson, Lennon Clark, Cobie Wainhouse, Jordon Baker; Alistair Swyer, Callum Smith, Matthew Shepherdson, Tom Rea
The Scorers:
St Helens:
Tries: Louie Roberts, Oliver Garmston, Harry Robertson (2), Ellis Anderson, Matthew Evans
Goals: George Whitby (7/7)
Hull FC:
Tries: Cobie Wainhouse
Goals: Jack Charles (1/1)
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