Hull boss Tony Smith said Josh Griffin was left “shattered” after his costly red card shame.
They lost their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Super League champions St Helens after the second-row’s bizarre sending off. The Black and Whites played their part in a pulsating first half which was locked at 12-12 when he was yellow-carded for dissent after the interval hooter had sounded. But in chaotic scenes, as Griffin walked away, he said something else to referee Chris Kendall.
The official called him back and brandished a red. Stunned Griffin, 33, trudged off in disbelief - and his embattled side eventually fell away without him. Smith said: “No doubt some profanity has been said, I’d suggest. That’s all I know. I don’t know the details. I trust each and every one of the referees. They wouldn't send anyone off without a good reason.
"Josh is pretty shattered in there. He’s seen some of the consequences of what his team-mates had to go through. That’s hard. But we've rules in place for good reason. If he hasn’t said anything I’ll defend him to the hilt. Obviously it’s a disappointing result but I can’t fault their effort or spirit. We had a real crack at Saints. Our discipline - not just the red card - cost us in the end.”
Gritty Hull did still put up a fight and were just 24-18 down with 12 minutes to go. But a Chris Satate error, straight after Jake Trueman’s try, gifted Saints a chance to go for the kill and they did. Jack Welsby, the England full-back who backed up his man-of-the-match display against Wigan with another outstanding display, stepped through some weak goalline defence to seal victory.
James Bell rounded things off as Saints chalked up their 16th straight win over the East Yorkshire club. Hull prop Scott Taylor ended up in hospital after dislocating his shoulder in the 14th minute. They also saw half-back Tex Hoy limp off with a hamstring late on which leaves him doubtful for Thursday’s Super League re-match between the sides.
But Saints earned a sixth straight win after also losing centre Mark Percival and England team-mate Tommy Makinson to first-half injuries. Percival failed a HIA after an 11th minute challenge from Brad Fash which saw the Hull prop placed on report. Winger Makinson, who converted Joe Batchelor’s early try and added a penalty, came off soon after with a hamstring strain.
Hull responded with tries from Griffin and Andre Savelio, Liam Sutcliffe converting both, before Welsby's perfect pass saw Konrad Hurrell level things up. Paul Wellens’ side went ahead early in the second half when Curtis Sironen powered in, Joey Lussick taking on kicking duties, before Lewis Dodd stepped over for another. Trueman gave Hull hope but there was no chance of Saints letting up.
Wellens said: “I’ve just commended the guys on dealing with adversity as we had some of our own. And Hull going down to 12 actually made me a little bit more anxious. But I’m delighted with how we got through that.”
