Hull 24-12 St Helens

Hull's season looks finally to be underway as they gained revenge for last season's Grand Final defeat to St Helens.

Hull, with just one win all season before today, took their chance when Leon Pryce was sin binned in the second half, doubling their lead which ultimately proved too much for Saints to claw back.

James Graham gave Saints a first half lead after two Danny Tickle penalties had put Hull 4-0 in front, but the home side went in at the break ahead through Sid Domic.

It was only after Pryce was sin binned that Hull made their move, and it was young scrum half Tommy Lee who set up tries for Kirk Yeaman and Shaun Briscoe.

The 18 point deficit then proved too much to make up for Saints, despite Paul Wellens' 71st minute try.

Peter Sharp was relieved and pleased to have seen his team finally hit the straps: "There's more to come, I'm sure of that. There has to be. We have been showing signs over the last week or so that we were on the improve and we certainly improved dramatically tonight.

"We have a history of playing a bit better against the so-called better sides and we were certainly up for the game.

"I've seen signs at training that we were on the improve and that things were starting to happen."

And Daniel Anderson agreed there was more to come from the Airlie Birds:  "Personally I thought Hull were going to find some form. We spoke about how we were going to be to Hull, like Brisbane were for us, something to kick-start you in to the competition.

"We spoke about that before the game. They played with a resilience and a toughness that we know Hull are capable of."