Airlie Birds suffer Cup hangover

Hull FC have failed to back up last weekend’s historic Challenge Cup victory, suffering a comprehensive 31-10 defeat to St Helens at Langtree Park.

Mahe Fonua scored one of the easiest tries of his life to open the scoring for the Black and Whites, crashing over out of dummy half and catching the Saints defence napping.

Jack Owens brought the home side back to within two points, diving over in the corner after a brilliant pass from Jonny Lomax.

St Helens scored their second try in three minutes courtesy of Matthew Fleming, who touched down in the same corner.

Owens nailed the conversion to give the Saints a 10-6 lead with just under a quarter of an hour remaining.

In the 51st minute Atelea Vea showed brute strength to crash over after Jordan Turner’s pass, despite being tackled by two Hull FC players.

Just as Saints looked to have established some breathing space, Sika Manu touched down after being put in by Leon Pryce.

An Owens penalty ensured the Saints restored their eight-point lead over the Black and Whites.

Vea looked to have sealed victory for the Saints, crashing over under the sticks after the Airlie Birds failed to deal with James Roby’s grubber kick.

A Jordan Turner drop goal continued to put further distance between the two sides.

Owens added insult to injury scoring another four-pointer with four minutes left, following a pass from Theo Fages.