THE Saints under19s booked an Academy Grand Final meeting with Wigan after a 34-14 semi-final victory over Hull FC.

Derek Traynor’s side will face Wigan in the final at the DW Stadium on Friday, kick off at 5.15pm.

The game is a curtain raiser to Wigan Warriors;' last Super 8s match of the season against Castleford.

The Saints head coach Keiron Cunningham paid tribute to the crop of youngsters and the coaching staff who have guided them to this final.

He said: "They have been great all year.

"They went to Leeds at the start of the year and got a really good spanking and they had a lack of self-belief.

"They have trained hard since, with Ade Gardner hammering them in the gym on the conditioning side.

"Derek Traynor works hard with them too.

"They are a good group of kids, the majority have another year left at 19s, so if they have been good this year they are going to be some force next year.

"They work ever so hard and deserve what they get.

"It is going to be a tough game against Wigan.

"It is at their place and Wigan have got the wood over them, but I am sure they will give it their best shot."

They trailed 4-0 early on in the semi-final as Connor Bower went over for Hull.

However, Saints hit back through Matty Costello after strong drives from Matty Lees and Levy Nzoungou put them in position.

Hull regained the lead as Bower got his second but Saints took command in the last 15 minutes of the half, Danny Richardson producing a little bit of magic to ghost through the line, his inside ball putting Ben Morris in to regain the lead.

Just before the break, Richardson jinked his way past a tired defence to score near the posts for an 18-10 half-time advantage.

Saints stretched their lead five minutes into the second half, Jonah Cunningham setting up big second row Liam Cooper to charge his way over the line.

Callum Smith reduced Hull’s arrears to 24-14 before the hour-mark but Saints reasserted their dominance, Jake Spedding going over for the game’s last two tries.

With Tyson-Wilson in the sin-bin for an elbow to Fairclough’s jaw, Saints took advantage, Ricky Bailey’s arching run setting up Spedding to score in the corner.

Seven minutes later, Bailey was the provider for Spedding again as Saints secured their place in the final.