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Rugby League

Hull end Saints' unbeaten run

09/06/2006

Hull brought St Helens crashing back down to earth last night with a stunning 27-26 victory over the Super League leaders at Knowsley Road.

A late drop goal from Paul Cooke won the visitors their first game at Saints' ground for 18 years and ended the Super League leaders' unbeaten home record this season.

Tries from centre Kirk Yeaman, who was later forced off with an ankle injury, winger Gareth Raynor, Richard Horne and one from Cooke himself helped Hull to their total.

St Helens responded with five tries of their own through Paul Wellens, Nick Fozzard, Sean Long, Jamie Lyon and Ade Gardner but Cooke's late drop goal proved decisive.

Confusion momentarily detracted from the game as St Helens at one stage fielded one too many players, which could end in action being taken by league officials.

Hull coach Peter Sharp said: "I don't know what the league can do now, but Saints certainly wouldn't have got the points if they had won.

"The 14 men is an issue whether we won or lost - you can't do that in Australia and you can't do it here. It was an error and the league will probably do something about it."

Daniel Anderson, Saints coach, explained: "It wasn't due to anything that we could do but the interchange official sent two players on to the field.

"One of our members of staff went down to the sidelines and he knew that Vinnie Anderson had to come off. And literally, one player came off, but the interchange official pushed two on.

"I would hate for St Helens to penalised in any way, shape or form. It was an accident and I wouldn't mind a tightening of the procedures that players aren't allowed to be subbed until they cross the sideline."

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