engage Super League semis review

Qualifying semi final

St Helens 12 (Meli, Gardner tries; Lyon 2 goals) def. Hull F.C. 8 (Yeaman try; Cooke 2 goals). Att: 14,038.

St Helens made it through to the Grand Final at the first attempt in a pulsating game against Hull F.C. at Knowsley Road.

The game started with defence on top until the 18th minute when Ade Gardner opened the scoring for the hosts. Hull hit back just before the break with Kirk Yeaman going over to leave the sides all tied up at 6-6.

Both teams traded penalties early into the second half, until 61st-minute when Francis Meli scored the deceive try as the Saints held on for a narrow victory.

The Black and Whites now face a home game next week for a place in the Grand Final.

Elimination semi final

Bradford Bulls 40 (Withers 3, Deacon 2, Vainikolo tries; Deacon 8 goals) def. Warrington Wolves 24 (Reardon, Briers, Kohe-Love, Fa'afili tries; Briers 4 goals). Att: 12,302. Bradford Bulls moved to within 80 minutes of their six successive Grand final with a hard-fought victory over Warrington Wolves at Grattan Stadium Odsal.

The hosts got off to a dream start and raced into an 18-0 lead inside the first quarter, with tries from Michael Withers (2) and Paul Deacon.

The Wolves then fought back with tries from Lee Briers, Henry Fa'afili to cut the lead to 20-10 at the break.

At the start of the second two quick fire tries from Toa Kohe-Love and Stuart Reardon put the visitors in front at 22-20. However, in the last 12 minutes of the game, Bradford upped the pace and sealed the match with tries from Deacon followed by Lesley Vainikolo long-range effort and a hat-trick try for Withers. The Bulls have now set up a match against Hull in the final eliminator next Friday for the right to face St Helens in the Grand Final.