Saints retain Challenge Cup

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Daniel Anderson's men had appeared to be coasting towards a 12th showpiece win after opening up a 10-0 half-time lead through tries from Matt Gidley and Francis Meli, despite losing club captain Paul Sculthorpe to a suspected dislocated shoulder after just two minutes.

Richard Agar's Hull side fought back heroically in the second half and two tries from Kirk Yeaman briefly put them on course for what would have been an incredible victory - but St Helens' big-game experience shone through with further tries from Meli, Jon Wilkin and Leon Pryce.

Saints full-back Paul Wellens was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for man of the match.

Anderson admitted afterwards: "We almost found a way to lose. I thought we squandered ample opportunities in the first half, we had genuine try-scoring plays.

"I had a real bad feeling at the start of the second half, I thought it was going to come back to bite us.

"We are a very good front-running team but I knew the first try would provide momentum for Hull.

"Credit to us. We were honest for 80 minutes and I think that got us through. It was a tough game - I don't think people realise how much the first half took out of us."

Agar said: "This is our third final in four years and there's no reason we can't come back.

"We need to remember this and how it feels and we can't be happy with a brave effort. Next time we come back we want to win the game."