Scully blow mars Saints win

PAUL Sculthorpe's dislocated shoulder cast a shadow over St Helens' post-Challenge Cup final celebrations at Wembley.

The former Great Britain loose forward, hit so badly by knee and Achilles injuries over the past three years, suffered his latest devastating setback after tackling full-back Todd Byrne less than two minutes into his team's 28-16 win over battling Hull FC.

Out of contract at the end of the season, the 30-year-old former Waterhead junior was too distraught even to pick up his winners' medal and could now contemplate retirement.

"It was a horrible injury for him to sustain so early in a big game," said victorious St Helens coach Daniel Anderson afterwards.

"We'll try and console him, he is quite shattered at the moment."

Saints made hard work of claiming a third successive Challenge Cup victory.

Going 10-0 down midway through the first half to tries from Matt Gidley and a long-range effort from Francis Meli, the introduction of Richard Horne from the bench seemed to put extra wind in the sails of the side from East Yorkshire.

A number of try scoring chances went begging for Anderson's side and Hull coach Richard Agar saw his side stay in the contest with some determined defensive efforts.

Hull gradually fought their way into the game as an attacking force and gained an unlikely 12-10 lead with only 15 minutes remaining thanks to two tries from Kirk Yeaman, one of which was an 80-metre interception dash.

But further Saints scores from Meli, Jon Wilkin and Leon Pryce, answered only by Gareth Raynor's effort, saw the Knowsley Road outfit win the trophy once again, with full-back Paul Wellens landing the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match.

St Helens now embark on a three-day trip to Madrid as they attempt to recharge the batteries before an assault on the upcoming Super League play-offs.