SAINTS Academy Under 18s have reached the Grand Final after overcoming an initially stubborn resistance from Hull FC.
After trailing 4-0 on the half hour mark Saints rattled the visitors with three very different tries in the closing stages of the first half changed the complexion of the game and they seemed pretty comfortable thereafter.
The game had been in doubt until yesterday morning following the death of the Queen.
But the RFL - after discussions - deemed that matches could go ahead with a minute's silence followed by the national anthem.
The 34-14 win secures them a place in the Grand Final where they will face a Leeds Rhinos side who beat Warrington today.
It was never going to be a game that was plain sailing for Saints and the Black and Whites showed their threat when they pierced the line from deep for the first notable attack of the game.
But then Saints responded with a period of pressure that could have yielded points. They were twice held up on the line and then Dayon Sambou was halted by an excellent leg tackle when the try line was begging.
Hull countered and were first over the line when wing Lewis Martin crossed, only to be hauled back for a forward pass.
However, they were not to be denied when fleet-footed full back Logan Moy mesmerised the Saints defence to tip-toe through the would-be tacklers to open the Black and White’s account.
Saints, who finished top of the pile, responded – and it was non-stop prop George Delaney who started the ball rolling when he barrelled his way over from close range.
Delaney, who made his first team debut in late August against Wakefield, gave Saints plenty of energy, aggression and go-forward in an 80-minute display.
He kept putting his hand up for the carries, efforts that were just one factor in Saints getting on the front foot.
Halves Will Roberts and Ellis Archer pulled the strings off the back of of that and deployed a shrewd game with the boot – and one such kick paid dividends on the right when Keane Gilford crossed.
Hull sought to respond just before the break, but when their move broke down wingman Ben Will collected and with a clear field in front of him he pinned his ears back and went fully 80 metres.
That made it 18-4 at the interval, but Brandon Wright poached one back for the visitors to stick a Black and White toe back in the game.
But Saints were playing with confidence and worked the numbers on the right to allow scrum half Will Roberts to dummy and go for a deserved try.
Hull FC never threw in the towel, with a spilled kick allowing Mason Opie-Palmer to gleefully collect and dot down.
But in the closing stages, man of the match candidate McKenzie Buckley got some reward on the scoreboard for some eye-catching, penetrative and aggressive running and some bone-crunching hits in defence.
Slick hands culminated in full back Ben Lane slipping the inside ball for the second row Buckley to storm over.
Buckley then turned provider to burst through and send scrum half Roberts over for his second. Wjo tagged on the goal to conclude the scoring.
Saints: Lane; Will, Vaughan, D Sambou, Gilford; Archer, Roberts; Delaney, Peposhi, Cowen, Buckley, Pyke, Dean. Subs: Nolan, McGlucken, Bannerman.
Hull FC: Moy; Masike, Opie-Palmer, Wacokecoke, Martin; Harman, Medforth; Laidlaw, Balmforth, Dulson, Bursell. Jebson, Armstrong. Subs: Chapman-Peterson, Wright, Mafi, Thompson.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here