Super League: Hull FC 18-34 St Helens

Ben Barba has scored 22 tries for St Helens in Super League this season

St Helens extended their lead at the top of Super League to eight points as they came from behind to beat Hull FC.

Tommy Makinson and Ben Barba put Saints ahead at the break after a first-minute Hull try by Bureta Faraimo, who scored again towards the end of the half.

Jansin Turgut and Albert Kelly both touched down to put Hull FC ahead but Barba scored again to narrow the gap.

Saints led again after Jonny Lomax's brace and tries from Adam Swift and Luke Thompson got the visitors victory.

The result means Saints, who had been six points ahead of second-placed Wigan prior to kick-off, further boost their lead at the summit while Hull FC stay in fifth place.

Trailing 18-10 after Kelly scored for the Black and Whites, Saints scored four tries in 15 second-half minutes to claw their way ahead going into the final 10 minutes.

A fine performance from Saints was capped off just before the full-time hooter as Thompson ran 35 metres to touch down.

The win is Saints' 12th in succession as they hold a commanding lead at the top of the table two games before the split.

St Helens head coach Justin Halbrook told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"It was fantastic. It was always going to be a tough game here tonight. We got our noses in front at half-time but full credit to Hull. They come out in the second half and really took it to us.

"We were good enough to turn it around in the last 20 minutes and I'm really happy with the win.

"We didn't play great in the first half but we were good enough to lead. Hull dominated that first 20 minutes of the second half. Full credit to the boys; we dug in and turned it around."

Hull FC: Miloudi, Faraimo, Connor, Tuimavave, Logan, Kelly, Abdull, Taylor, Houghton, Green, Turgut, Minichiello, Hadley.

Replacements: Paea, Matongo, Lane, Downs.

St Helens: Barba, Swift, Makinson, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Richardson, Amor, Roby, Thompson, Peyroux, Taia, Wilkin.

Replacements: Fages, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Douglas, Knowles.

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