St Helens climbed to the top of the Betfred Super League table with a 6-38 victory over Hull on emotional afternoon at the MKM Stadium.
Prior to the match, everyone joined in remembrance of Rugby League and Hull FC legend Johnny Whiteley MBE, who sadly passed away earlier this week.
On the field however, it was a dominant display from the Saints with Jack Welsby playing an integral role in the win. Welsby found himself on the scoresheet alongside a double from Josh Simm and efforts by Mark Percival, Sione Mata’utia and Lewis Dodd.
Luke Gale was dismissed after 30 minutes for a high boot while Josh Griffin scored the hosts only try of the game.
St Helens went ahead after just ten minutes as Welsby found fellow England hopeful Percival in support, with this effort marking his 100th for the club.
Hull FC were reduced to 12 men temporarily just before the 20-minute mark as Connor Wynne was sent to the sin-bin. Saints extended their lead shortly after thanks to Makinson’s boot.
Welsby’s creativity would come the fore again as he notched his second assist of the game finding Simm who slid over in the corner. Makinson’s goal give Woolf’s men a 14-point lead.
The assignment was made tougher for the Black and Whites as the first half entered the closing stages with Gale being sent from the field for a high boot challenging for the ball with Jonny Lomax.
Simm would double his account for the afternoon just before the half-time hooter to ensure Saints went into the break leading 0-20.
After setting up two tries for teammates, Welsby would create a score for himself as he latched onto his own clever grubber kick at the same end at which he scored his memorable 2020 Betfred Super League Grand Final try.
Hull got themselves on the scoresheet midway through the half through Griffin, but Mata’utia and Dodd went over to finish the scoring.
Hull FC: Shaul, McIntosh, Scott, Wynne, Swift; Reynolds, Gale; Fash, Houghton, Sao, Griffin, Lane, Johnstone.
Interchanges: Brown, Lovodua, Satae, Vulikijapani.
St Helens: Welsby, Simm, Hurrell, Percvial, Makinson; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Roby, Leeds, Mata’utia, Batchelor, Knowles.
Interchanges: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Sironen, Paasi.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
Betfred Super League Fixtures:
Thursday 17 February
- Warrington Wolves 34 Castleford Tigers 10
Friday 18 February
- Wigan Warriors 34 Leeds Rhinos 12
Saturday 19 February
- Hull FC 6 St Helens 38
Betfred Super League Fixtures:
Saturday 19 February
- Huddersfield Giants v Hull Kingston Rovers – 3pm
- Catalans Dragons v Wakefield Trinity – 5pm – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 20 February
- Salford Red Devils v Toulouse Olympique – 3pm
