Hot Forums

**Winrew** · Tweet this Post! #1 (**permalink**) 28-08-2008, 23:59

CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Saturday 30 August Kick-off: 1430

St Helens -16
Hull + 16
Both 10/11.

Millwards View ( Sporting Life )

This is a mis-match for a Challenge Cup final. St Helens have won 20 straight games whereas Hull won their first game in four last weekend.

If you look in every position, St Helens are at least one or two points better per player. Sean Long is the best half-back in the English game, he won't be fazed and he'll control the game.

Then they've got the two best hookers in Super League in Keiron Cunningham and James Roby, and then on top of that they've got the best stand-off in Leon Pryce and the best full-back in Paul Wellens.

All across the park they've got quality and they are going to be too strong for Hull, who have been too inconsistent. A win against Harlequins last week hardly signals an upset.

St Helens are specials to win the game and cover the 16 point start. The wide open spaces at Wembley will suit their game, Hull will use up a lot of nervous energy in the early stages and that will also suit St Helens later on.

In the individual markets, Sean Long has a fantastic chance of winning the Lance Todd Trophy again. He will touch the ball more than anyone on the field, he will be involved in any tries, breaks and he will be unfazed by the whole occassion.

It might also be worth having a saver on Jon Wilkin. He's a really talented back-rower who takes advantage of a lot of Long's work. He has some skills and as a Hull KR boy playing against their city rivals he will be fired up more than most.

In the anytime scorer market Ade Gardner is nailed-on to collect. They kick to him, Matt Gidley sets him up very well, and he's in the habit of scoring tries now. I believe he will do so again.

Francis Meli is the sort of player who could power over early on, and he is worth a look in the first tryscorer market.

The second half will be the highest scoring half, in my opinion. It can be fairly close in the first 40 minutes, like it was last year, and the year before, but St Helens can power away in the second 40 as Hull tire.

Another bet punters might want to consider is the last scoring play. I Like the look of a St Helens field goal, as Long isn't afraid to slot one over late on just to ensure field position, no matter how many points they are in front of Hull.

Finally, I like a bet in the total points market. People will presume that over 48.5 points will be the way to go if they fancy St Helens to cover the start - but I hold an alternative view.

I just can't see how Hull are going to contribute here. Even if St Helens score 30 points I think Hull are going to struggle to score over 18.

I'm going to go under 48.5 points, because I think all the points are going to come from St Helens.

redroar · Tweet this Post! #2 (**permalink**) 29-08-2008, 00:05

For once I agree with him.

I think Helens will batter Hull. The cap will be more like -18/-20 come game day.

**Winrew** · Tweet this Post! #3 (**permalink**) 29-08-2008, 00:13

Aye , i wouldnt disagree with him this week , although , i would go with Pryce or Cunningham for the Lance Todd Trophy @ 5/1 and 10/1.

Not looking forward to the match to be honest , could be a right poor spectacle..

To Score First Try and Win Lance Todd Trophy Betting Odds , you can get 28/1 on Pryce with Totesport...