Super Saints sneak through
Treble-chasing St Helens overcame brave Hull 12-8 to reach their first Super League Grand Final for four years.
The Challenge Cup winners were forced to dig deep against determined opposition in a thrilling semi-final at Knowsley Road to remain on course for a fourth Grand Final triumph.
Hull, the only visiting side to win at St Helens this year, were on course to reproduce their mid-season heroics when Great Britain hopeful Kirk Yeaman ended his try drought in the first half. But a powerful second-half performance, inspired by magnificent substitute James Roby, enabled St Helens to make the quick route to Old Trafford.
Hull must play off against Warrington or Bradford next Friday if they are to meet them in the final.
It was tight and tense as the sides slugged it out in an effort to gain the upper hand and the decisive breakthrough came on the hour when Saints captain Sean Long put second rower Lee Gilmour through a gap.
His final pass to winger Francis Meli was a poor one but the New Zealand international picked up the ball by his boot laces and stumbled over the line.
Lyon was off target for the first time but Saints crucially held a 12-8 lead as the game entered the final quarter.
Keiron Cunningham looked to have sealed it when he got over the line on the last tackle but was held up on his back while centre Willie Talau had a late try disallowed for a forward pass as Saints finished the stronger side.
