Hull FC 27 St Helens 26: Tickle has Hull smiling as drop-goal caps superb fightback

Engage super league: Boyhood St Helens fan Danny Tickle kicked a 78th-minute drop-goal as Hull FC produced one of the most stunning comebacks the Super League has seen as they rocked St Helens with four answered tries in a breathtaking second half at the KC Stadium.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jun 2010, 00:41 BST
Updated 5th Jun 2010, 00:41 BST

Francis Meli's four-try haul had given Mick Potter's side what had looked to be an unassailable 26-6 lead with little over 30 minutes remaining, only for the home side to respond with an unstoppable barrage that resulted in them registering three successive wins for the first time this season.

With both sides scoring five tries and missing two goals, the scores were locked at 26-26 when Tickle's kick split the posts from 30 metres out. Hull therefore moved to within two points of the Saints as they consolidated their fourth place.

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Hull opened the scoring , Tom Briscoe showing admirable strength to drive his way over after Willie Manu's superb offload.

St Helens levelled as Meli, back after a three-game absence, leapt above Richard Whiting to take in Scott Moore's kick, and Meli then took in a pass from Moore to give his side the lead.

Veteran hooker Keiron Cunningham took full advantage of Hull's increasing vulnerability to bounce over following a 15m run and two minutes before half-time Meli took advantage of a six-on-one overlap to net his third Super League hat-trick.

His first four-try salvo came shortly after the restart as he made light work of Jordan Tansey and Danny Washbrook's attempted tackles, before Jordan Turner gave Hull hope when he stepped his way in.

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With England hooker James Roby leaving the field after a heavy collision, Danny Houghton pounced on a loose ball after Sean Long's kick to slip in between the posts and Hull were within eight points.

Willie Manu edged Hull even closer following Houghton's pass. Tickle was unable to convert but quickly redeemed himself as he pounced on Meli's handling error to score in the corner, another failed conversion tieing the scores at 26-26. Ex-Saints playmaker Long saw a drop-goal attempt fall agonisingly short before Tickle found the mark.

Hull FC: Tansey, Whiting, Turner, Yeaman, T. Briscoe, Washbrook, Long, Dowes, Houghton, O'Meley, Manu, Tickle, Fitzgibbon. Substitutes: Radford, Moa, Cusack, Hall.

St Helens: Wellens, Lomax, Gidley, Flannery, Meli, Pryce, Moore, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Dixon, Clough, Roby. Substitutes: Fozzard, Ashurst, Magennis, Wheeler.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).

Related topics:Super LeagueHullSt HelensHull FC