Hull FC 26 Saints Senior Academy 20

THIS defeat leaves Saints teetering precariously on the edge of a play-off placing, under pressure from the Huddersfield Giants, with only one round left to play.

On Friday evening, it was all about the ability of Hull to pressurise Saints with a powerful opening half, taking a 22-6 interval lead through the tries of Graeme Barber, Andy Johnson, Liam Higgins and Danny Smith, the latter kicking three goals; against which Kevin Picton posted a St. Helens touchdown converted by Stephen Rowlands.

James Graham and Paul Fairfield swapped tries early in the second half, after which Ian Hardman and Phil Anderton crossed the home line, Rowlands converting Hardman's try.

It took Saints tantalisingly close to the Hull total, but Hull dug in to protect their narrow lead to the final whistle.

Saints Junior Academy 28 Hull FC 26

SAINTS kept up the pressure on Junior Academy Championship leaders Leeds Rhinos with this nail-biting win over Hull, both sides ignoring the sweltering conditions to produce an Academy classic.

It took a late Carl Forber penalty to see Saints home though, after Hull had taken them all the way, outscoring their hosts five tries to four through the touchdowns of Danny Hill (2), Andrew Seagar, Mike Johnson and Danny Fox; for Alex Benson to kick three goals.

Saints had two tries from Andy Bracek, one each from Peter Cook and James Roby, but the steady goal kicking of Forber proved to be their ace card.

He had already slotted five through the sticks, when a Hull player spoke out of turn, two minutes from time, with the scores locked at 26-all, up stepped the nerveless Forber to convert the penalty.