In a thrilling encounter at the BrewDog Stadium, Hull FC halted a disastrous seven‑match losing streak by edging out St Helens 32‑18, thanks in large part to a sensational first‑senior hat‑trick from winger Harvey Barron. The young Englishman’s three‑try haul not only sparked a dramatic comeback but also breathed fresh life into Hull’s campaign, keeping their hopes of steering clear of the dreaded Super League wooden spoon alive while simultaneously casting doubt on the Saints’ aspirations of securing a place in the end‑of‑season play‑offs. Hull FC arrived at the Saints’ home ground having failed to win there in ten attempts over the past nine years, a statistic that underscored the magnitude of the achievement. Prior to the match the Hull side sat just two points above the league’s bottom‑placed outfit, the Huddersfield Giants, making every point crucial.
The atmosphere was electric, with both sets of interim coaches—Andy Last for Hull and Eamon O'Carroll for St Helens—keen to prove their tactical acumen after recent upheavals in the clubs’ coaching hierarchies. The first half was tightly contested.
St Helens opened the scoring early, capitalising on a knock‑on by Hull full‑back Logan Moy. Lewis Murphy, the Saints winger, pounced on the error and darted into the corner to put the home side ahead.
Hull responded swiftly; just five minutes later a precise pass from Zak Hardaker found Barron in space, allowing him to touch down his first try of the night and level the scores at 6‑6. The momentum swung back and forth, with Saints’ captain James Hastings converting a penalty after Tom Briscoe’s high tackle in the 18th minute, nudging St Helens back into the lead. Hull’s forward pack, led by prop Herman Ese'ese, battled hard but saw a potential second try disallowed for a double movement infringement. Nevertheless, the Black and Whites kept pressing.
Stand‑off Jake Arthur delivered a clever double cut‑out pass that freed Lewis Martin, who finished in the left corner to give Hull a slender 10‑8 advantage. The half‑hour mark saw both sides exchange leads three times, each time the opposition clawing back to a dead‑heat of 14‑14.
The turning point arrived just before the break. With the clock winding down, Barron broke free once more, receiving a low pass and diving over for his second try, putting Hull ahead 20‑14.
The momentum was now firmly with the visitors, and they carried that energy into the second half. Early in the third period, substitute forward Cade Cust added a third try for Hull after a well‑timed run, extending the lead to 26‑14. The Saints attempted a comeback, with Jack Welsby sprinting 30 metres to score a try that was initially awarded but later overturned after a video referee review confirmed a covering tackle that prevented a clear grounding. The decision sparked frustration among the St Helens ranks but did not deter Hull’s confidence.
With just over a minute left on the clock, Saints captain Hastings suffered a knock‑out injury, forcing him to leave the field. In the ensuing chaos, Barron capitalised on an angled kick from Aidan Sezer, diving over for his third try of the match. The on‑field referee initially ruled the effort a no‑try, but video referee Chris Kendall intervened, overturning the decision and awarding the try, cementing Barron’s hat‑trick and sealing Hull’s dominance.
Both of Barr’s tries, along with Cust’s, were converted by Hardaker, pushing the score to an almost insurmountable 32‑14. St Helens managed a consolation try from Harry Robertson, but Hardaker’s 70th‑minute penalty sealed the victory for Hull FC. The final whistle also saw former Saint James Bell cross the line for Hull, adding a symbolic touch to the win.
The result propelled Hull FC to 13th place in the league, level on points with Bradford Bulls, and kept them within striking distance of safety. Meanwhile, St Helens, despite a proud history of never missing the play‑offs, slipped to seventh and now face a series of must‑win fixtures to retain their postseason hopes.
In the women’s game, the day also featured a dominant performance from Wigan Warriors, who dispatched St Helens 44‑6 in the inaugural match of the new Super Four format of the Women’s Super League. Defending champions Wigan showcased their depth, with Ellise Derbyshire and Eva Hunter each scoring a brace, and additional contributions from Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Remi Wilton, Jenna Foubister, and Mary Coleman. The victory highlighted the widening gap between the top women’s clubs and underscored Wigan’s intent to retain their crown. Looking ahead, Sky Sports has confirmed that every Super League match will be broadcast live this season, with two fixtures per round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available via Sky Sports+.
This comprehensive coverage aims to bring the excitement of rugby league to a broader audience, ensuring fans can follow the drama of clubs like Hull FC and St Helens as the season unfolds. Overall, Harvey Barron’s hat‑trick will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Hull FC’s 2024 campaign, a performance that not only ended a prolonged winless run at the BrewDog Stadium but also injected belief into a side fighting to avoid relegation. The match encapsulated the unpredictable nature of the Super League, where a single player’s brilliance can tip the scales and reshape the fortunes of both clubs involved.