St Helens go top after comeback win at Hull FC

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (12) 14

Tries: Moy, Bourouh Goals: Hardaker 3

St Helens (6) 24

Tries: Davies, Stephens, Feldt, Robertson Goals: Sailor 4

St Helens went top of Super League after a second half comeback saw them topple Hull FC at the MKM Stadium.

Trailing by six points at the break, Saints upped the ante after the break with tries from Noah Stephens, Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson seeing them home.

Hull came out firing on the back of the upheaval at the club following the shock news that head coach John Cartwright was being let go at the end of the season.

The response from his team was an emotional one but in the end Saints had the class and composure to come through for their sixth league win of the season.

Whether Cartwright will see out the rest of April never mind the rest of the season has to be in serious doubt.

The crowd gave him a warm ovation near the end - in contrast to the boos from home fans unhappy at Cartwright's treatment when Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler was shown on the big screen.

But Cartwright's situation is an uncomfortable one, knowing he is not wanted long term and he was fighting back the tears afterwards.

Image caption,

John Cartwright took Hull FC to a seventh-place finish in Super League last season

His players showed their loyalty with an intense start that saw Logan Moy give Hull an 11th minute lead with a try in the left-hand corner from a lovely pass by Zak Hardaker.

Saints struck back through teenager Jake Davies who stepped over from Jackson Hastings' pass for his first Super League try nine minutes later.

But a combination of the courageous Hull defence close to their own line and Saints' indiscipline prevented the visitors pushing on in the first half and hooker Amir Bourouh forced his way over in the 28th minute to restore the home side's lead.

The second half though was a different story. Seven minutes into the second half Saints tied things up through Noah Stephens.

Hastings had a try disallowed for obstruction in the build-up from Alex Walmsley as St Helens began to get into their stride.

But just after the hour mark Kyle Feldt put Saints ahead after a delicate chip from Tristan Sailor.

Then when Hardaker spilled possession, Harry Robertson cashed in to go over with some terrific footwork with six minutes left, to seal victory.

Saints' Deon Cross will miss next week's game against Wakefield Trinity after failing an Head Injury Assessment after an accidental clash with Hull loanee Harry Newman.

Hull will be without Sam Lisone long-term with a torn bicep.

Hull head coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I'm really disappointed for the players that they didn't get a result. They gave their everything.

"I'm so proud of the playing group. There were another couple of injuries tonight but whoever we put out there just keeps turning up.

"Everyone we come [up] against it's a battle, we give the opposition a fight, but we are just lacking that little bit of class to get over the line."

On his immediate future:

"I don't know. I've got a couple of meetings early next week and then we'll be a little but clearer where we go from there.

"It's a difficult one. I certainly don't want to let that playing group down but sometimes these things are not in your hands.

I don't want to talk about it too much because it's the unknown. I'll be a little bit clearer next week."

St Helens head coach Paul Rowley told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"It was a gritty performance I would say. We had to find a different way. Credit to Hull, what they did defensively challenged us, but we found our rhythm in the second half. We've done it tough and we deserved that result.

"We knew it would be an emotional night and that would add to the start in particular that Hull would produce and they did just that so no surprises there.

"John [Cartwright] is a good bloke and he works hard. As coaches we all have sympathy and empathy for everyone's situation but we know what the job is about."

Hull FC: Moy; Briscoe, Newman, Litten, Martin; Cust, Sezer; Hill, Bourouh, Sao, Bailey, Hardaker, Bell.

Interchanges: Aydin, Fash, Laidlaw, Lisone.

St Helens: Sailor; Feldt, Cross, Robertson, Dagnall; Whitby, Hastings; Lees, Clark, Klemmer, Whitley, Davies, Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Walmsley, Stephens, Delaney, Humphreys.

Referee: James Vella.