Saints 28 Hull FC 18

SAINTS produced one of their gutsiest performances of the season on their way to their eighth successive Super League victory.

But they paid a heavy price with several more players being added to the lengthening Knowsley Road casualty list prompting Saints coach Ian Millward to declare that his side could no longer retain the title.

The biggest blow came after only 50 seconds with Darren Britt having his face smashed in after an accidental clash of heads.

Also in the wars, to varying degrees, were Darren Albert, Jason Hooper, Mark Edmondson, Mick Higham, John Kirkpatrick and Barry Ward.

Ward went to the sin-bin with blood streaming from his face after taking a few of opposite number Craig Greenhill's best shots in a 73rd minute punch up.

After surveying the damage Millward said: "I don't think we can win the comp now for two reasons - the first is we are running out of troops and secondly a lot of people around are making sure it is hard for us.

"I will try and get a team out for next week. I don't know what it will be but I hope we don't get fined for putting out a sub-standard team. But I think we may have thrown our last dice."

This was a strange, error strewn and often brutal game played in intense heat.

And the sweaty hands on both sides resulted in a 'wet weather' game with a lot of spilled ball.

That Saints were not punished for those handling errors was a tribute to their tireless defence - which was spot on throughout.

Their keenness to defend their line was epitomised by the try saving tackles by the solid Tim Jonkers on Alex Wilkinson and Paul Wellens on Kirk Yeaman at opposite sides of the pitch.

Saints just had the edge in creating and taking their chances, and gave a battling performance against one of the biggest packs in the league.

And just in case the determined, but depleted Saints needed further fortification they got it in spade loads from the noise generated by the Popular side 18th man who kept the spirits up.

Afterwards Millward said: "It was one of the most courageous performances I have seen from a group of guys. There were some warriors there today. Some of my blokes are busted big time and they deserve big credit.

"I thought the fans were magnificent as well, and they helped us maintain that."

Mark Edmondson marked the signing of his new contract with a robust performance but he was supported by packmen Jonkers, John Stankevitch and Mike Bennett who toiled in the heat.

Another highlight was provided by super-sub Jon Wilkin - who grabbed his opportunity with both hands, bagging a pair of cracking long range tries.

The first half was nip and tuck for 40 minutes, with two penalties from acting skipper Sean Long keeping Saints in touch after Adam Maher had grabbed the first try of the day.

A rampaging run from Edmondson created the position for Stankevitch to open Saints' try account.

And although Hull's Paul Cooke looked to have closed the deficit to 10-8 at half-time, Saints were able to grab a try on the bell.

This came after Barry Ward had tapped back a wickedly bouncing restart kick for Keiron Cunningham to regain possession.

Before Hull could regroup, Saints attacked the left with a good drive from Jonkers. And in the next phase Tony Stewart held up well in the tackle before turning the ball back inside to Paul Wellens, who had the strength to dive over. Long converted and Saints went in 16-8 to the good.

Wilkin grabbed his first try four minutes after joining the fray during a passage of play in which Hull seemed the more likely scorers.

But the 20-year-old back rower anticipated Barnett's pass before storming 50 metres downfield, turning the ball back inside to Darren Albert and then collected the return pass to scorch over for a spectacular touchdown.

Greenhill forced his way over from close range to close the gap to eight points with 15 minutes to play, but Saints dug in to cling on.

The game finished with a two-try flourish with Wilkin bagging his second after a superb break from the ever-impressive Wellens was continued by Stewart.

Kirk Yeaman's try wrapped up the scoring.

Hull coach Shaun McRae felt Hull had enough territory to have recorded more points and added: "In the second half I don't think either side controlled the ball well enough to win the game. It was a case of who was going to take their opportunities.

"I think the scoreline was fair. They created the special plays better than we did and they were able to hang on."

Saints: Albert; Stewart, Wellens, Hooper, Gardner; Long, Higham; Britt, Cunningham, Ward, Stankevitch, Bennett, Jonkers. Subs: Wilkin, Mason, Kirkpatrick, Edmondson.

Hull: Barnett; Best, Wilkinson, Horne, Rayner; Cooke, Horne; Greenhill, Treister, Carvell, Maher, Ryan, Chester. Subs: King, Dowes, Yeaman, Fletcher.

Ref: Ian Smith

Att: 8,019