Saints » Results

Saints edged into the Carnegie Challenge Cup Semi Finals after a thrilling, rollercoaster of a cup tie at Craven Park.

Tied 12 apiece at half time, the game ebbed and flowed until Gardner popped up with the gamebreaking try to break the hearts of Hull KR.

But the plaudits have to go to Saints’ fantastic defensive effort that kept out wave after wave of KR attack for the last 10 minutes and fired them into the semi finals once more. The final score 24-18

Saints made one change from the team that beat Hull last week – Paul Clough coming in for the injured Mike Bennett.

For the Robins, Michael Dobson made his Challenge Cup debut and Chev Walker, normally a centre, started at loose forward.

Craven Park welcomed both teams out to a tumultuous welcome and immediately the home side posted early pressure on the Saints.

On their first set, Paul Cooke hammered a huge 40:20 to put them in prime territory. They then won a repeat set when Meli was tackled in goal.

And they made that set pay when Cooke took a short ball from Chev Walker to put Rovers ahead after just four minutes. Cooke with extras.

It was a dramatic start to the game and exactly the thing needed to ignite the home crowd.

Moments later Hull had the ball again in Saints’ 20 after Dobson raced away after picking up a loose ball. But they were called for a forward pass as a move developed towards the left.

Saints were looking slightly shell-shocked at the frantic opening but slowly worked their way back into the game after following a superb run and hand off from Gidley. But the opportunity was lost with space out wide when the ball went to ground.

A moment later, Gardner took an awkward grubber as the Robins forced a drop out.

But Saints were back on the attack almost straightaway when a ferocious tackle from Pryce and Gilmour dislodged the ball in Hull’s 20. From there, the ball went left and Talau cut back inside to post the four-pointer.

Fifteen minutes in, 6-6.

Saints were beginning to put their ‘A’ game together, finding half gaps all over the park and upping their work rate in defence.

And it was no surprise when Saints popped up with the next score. Cunningham won a penalty in Hull’s half, then Wellens - who had been sick throughout the game - fired a wonderful pass for Maurie Fa’asavalu to steam on to.

Briscoe tried to stop him, but 13 Briscoes wouldn’t have stopped the GB international from going over. Power at its best. Long with the conversion.

Seconds layer Pryce was held up just centimetres short; his mazy run bamboozling the home side.

Hull KR thought they had pulled a score back on 25 minutes but Briscoe’s effort was chalked off for obstruction. Fitzhenry putting them in the position to launch the attack after his clever chip over Gardner resulted in Klein awarding them a penalty for obstruction.

With six minutes to go, Dobson forced the pass on the last tackle and managed to work some space for Cooke to chip in goal for Cockayne to chase. But the centre couldn’t get control of the ball.

Then Hull posted a try out of nothing. Saints were camped in Hull’s 20 and on the last Long put up a kick which was just shy of the on running Gardner. Stanley Gene latched on to it, fed Fitzhenry who then went 80 yards. Cooke tied up the game.

A pulsating cup tie - half time 12-12.

Saints came out for the second half slightly early as the aimed to prolong the retention of their Challenge Cup. And in the opening exchanges both Bryn and James Graham proved lively as the men in Blue went forward.

But it was Sean Long who had the most telling introduction of the half, tapping the ankles of Fitzhenry as he scooted down the wing following Dobson’s clever run and pass.

And on the home side’s next attack, Fitzhenry just couldn’t pull in Webster’s pass on Saints’ try line.

On 52 minutes, Sean Long fired a 40:20 – Saints’ first of the season to relieve the pressure on their own try line and to set up an attack of their own. But despite strong runs from Long, Pryce and Graham, Saints were just held up short.

Moments later, Saints had another attack at the Robins’ try line. Pryce looked to have lost the ball in the middle of the park but the referee ruled it had been knocked forward by a Hull player, who was then penalised for back chat.

From there, Saints moved into Hull’s half and Sean Long ran onto a ball and twisted over to put his charges ahead. Long then made it three from three with the boot.

But Hull hit back almost immediately when Dobson chipped into the in goal area for Webster to touch down. Cooke perfect with the extras.

On 65 minutes, Fa'asavalu was penalised for a high tackle and Cooke pulled the ball just right on the 35 metre penalty attempt.

With 11 minutes to go, Saints found themselves in Hull territory. Cayless and Fa’asavalu did the damage with some crunching drives then a fantastic pass from Long put Gardner over in the corner. Long firing a perfect conversion from the touchline.

But once again back came Hull. Saints were penalised for offside twice in quick succession – and in their own 20 – and then got another six after Wilkin failed to pull in the ball on an interception attempt. Then Chris Chester flew onto the ball and was flipped over by Leon Pryce and James Roby as he attempted to touch down. A real try saver.

Saints then had to do the same moments later when the Robins cam knocking once more. Wellens made an amazing tackle on Dobson then Cayless stopped a move progressing. Yet, Hull gained another set at the Saints’ line and were propelled once more – Wellens grounding in goal to save a certain try and give KR a drop out.

But Saints were in no mood to let Hull back into the game and their stubborn defence kept them out once more.

After the pulsating clash, Daniel Anderson said: “You could see the desire and passion from all the players. Hull KR were exceptional in their desire. If it was a league game maybe we wouldn't get there for some of those tackles.

"I don't know what it is; we just had to do it because there is no redemption. We just wouldn't give it up. They were a little unlucky but I don't think we were unlucky."

Match Summary

Hull KR:

Tries: Cooke, Fitzhenry, Webster

Goals: Cooke (3 from 4)

Saints:

Tries: Talau, Fa’asavalu, Long, Gardner

Goals: Long (4 from 4)

Penalties:

Hull KR: 12

Saints: 8

HT (Sts First): 12-12

FT (Sts First): 24-18

ATT: 8,304

REF: Ashley Klein

Teams:

Hull KR:

1. Shaun Briscoe; 2. Peter Fox, 15. Ben Cockayne, 4. Jake Webster, 5. Daniel Fitzhenry; 6. Paul Cooke, 26. Michael Dobson; 20. Mick Vella, 9. Ben Fisher, 8. Garret Crossman, 11. Clint Newton, 14. Stanley Gene, 3. Chev Walker.

Subs: 10. David Mills, 18. Rhys Lovegrove, 24. Liam Watts, 28. Chris Chester.

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 10. Jason Cayless, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 16. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 14. James Roby, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.