ST HELENS 18 HULL FC 32
STEPHEN IBBETSON, BrewDog Stadium, Thursday

HARVEY BARRON’S first career hat-trick gave Hull FC a much-needed victory tonic – and left St Helens’ top-six hopes dangling by the slightest of threads.

Both teams came into this led by interim coaches and scarred by terrible form which left both staring at their worst ever Super League seasons.

But, while Hull’s first victory at Saints in nine years reduces their chances of finishing last, their opposition now require a massive turnaround to maintain their record as the sole club to participate in every play-off series.

The home defence was at times terribly feeble, while Hull showed far more resilience to resist much of what was thrown their way.

The Black and Whites took control with tries in quick succession early in the second-half by Barron – his last of the treble – and Cade Cust, then admirably defended their advantage in a way St Helens never could, having lost the lead three times in the first-half.

Saints had broken the deadlock inside two minutes, forcing a Logan Moy knock-on through Jackson Hastings’ bomb, before shifting the ball from the scrum towards Lewis Murphy who finished.

Hastings added the touchline goal but Hull soon hit back through Barron on the end of an effective switch play, and Zak Hardaker kicked his own conversion from the sideline to level.

A high Tom Briscoe tackle on Shane Wright in front of the posts gifted the home side the lead back after 19 minutes through a Hastings penalty, however it was again short-lived.

While Herman Ese’ese was ruled to have touched down a blade of grass short of the tryline, there was no doubt about the finish that followed from fellow returnee Lewis Martin, from a wonderful, looping pass by Jake Arthur.

St Helens went in front for the third time in the half with seven minutes of it remaining, thanks to delightful play which saw George Whitby – fresh off the bench for a welcome return from knee surgery – send Jack Welsby galloping clear, plus a second touchline Hastings conversion.

Just as it seemed they’d take their 14-10 lead to half-time, the visitors executed a Hail Mary on the hooter. Aidan Sezer’s kick was taken, after a bounce, by Barron, although video referee Chris Kendall had to give the green light after being sent up by Liam Rush as no try.

Hardaker’s second miss in succession sent the teams in level, but the veteran centre put Barron over for a hat-trick try, on the end of a flowing team move, seven minutes into the second-half, and this time nailed his wide kick for a six-point advantage.

And Hull made the most of a sudden patch, forcing feeble Saints into retreat before Cust sniped over from dummy-half and Hardaker made it 26-14.

After a long period of pressure went unrewarded, Harry Robertson thought he’d finally clawed his side back into the game when he stepped past Briscoe and Ethan O’Neill for a solo try, but Kendall had other ideas, ruling it out for a Shane Wright obstruction on Sezer.

From the penalty, Hull marched downfield, Daniel Suluka-Fifita caught Cust high and Hardaker kicked for a decisive three-score lead.

Robertson did get over with eight minutes left – too late, with Saints’ season now in tatters.

Instead Hull had the final try through James Bell’s intercept of an awful Tristan Sailor pass, which had Andy Last understandably jumping for joy on the touchline.

GAMESTAR: Zak Hardaker was a driving force, helped Harvey Barron get his hat-trick and added some key kicks off the tee.

GAMEBREAKER: The quick-fire blows by Barron and Cade Cust which left St Helens on the ropes.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Hull coach Andy Last jumping up and down on the touchline after James Bell scored the final try.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Zak Hardaker (Hull FC)
2 pts Harvey Barron (Hull FC)
1 pt James Bell (Hull FC)

MATCHFACTS

SAINTS
1 Jack Welsby
26 Jacob Douglas
6 Tristan Sailor
28 Jake Davies
20 Lewis Murphy
3 Harry Robertson
31 Jackson Hastings
35 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
30 Tom Humphreys
8 Alex Walmsley
12 Shane Wright
37 Billy Keeley
22 Joe Shorrocks
Subs
14 Jacob Host
17 George Whitby
38 Matty Evans (not used)
39 Chris Matagi
18th man (not used)
41 Jack Campbell
Also in 21-man squad
23 Jake Burns
29 Alfie Sinclair
34 Cole Marsh

Tries: Murphy (2), Welsby (33), Robertson (72)
Goals: Hastings 3/4

HULL FC
24 Logan Moy
2 Harvey Barron
4 Zak Hardaker
19 Tom Briscoe
5 Lewis Martin
6 Jake Arthur
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Herman Ese’ese
9 Amir Bourouh
10 Harvie Hill
11 Joe Batchelor
39 Ethan O’Neill
15 James Bell
Subs (all used)
14 Cade Cust
20 Yusuf Aydin
21 Arthur Romano
40 Max Wood
18th man (not used)
32 Lloyd Kemp
Also in 21-man squad
26 Hugo Salabio
36 Lennon Clark
32 Lloyd Kemp

Tries: Barron (7, 40, 47), Martin (25), Cust (50), Bell (78)
Goals: Hardaker 5/7

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 8-6, 8-10, 14-10, 14-14; 14-20, 14-26, 14-28, 18-28, 18-32

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Saints: Jack Welsby; Hull FC: Zak Hardaker

Penalty count: 8-5
Half-time: 14-14
Referee: Liam Rush