Challenge Cup final

Kirk Yeaman 's two tries failed to secure victory for Hull

Hull's Kirk Yeaman admitted to being devastated by his side's Challenge Cup final defeat by St Helens at Wembley.

Yeaman scored two tries to give Hull an unlikely lead before St Helens turned the screw to win 28-16.

"I played in the 2005 victory and that felt great but this is devastating," said the centre.

"We were still in it at half-time and we had to dig deep for the final 15 minutes but we just couldn't hold on. It was a massive effort from everyone."

A second-half resurgence had seen Hull take a 12-10 lead on 63 minutes, only to see Saints seal the game with three tries in the final 17 minutes.

"We gave ourselves a good chance at half-time and were confident we could come back into it," said Hull coach Richard Agar.

Reaction: Agar and Yeaman

"But it was difficult conditions played in searing heat and we just didn't have enough petrol in the tank at the end."

Denied the services of scrum-half Adam Dykes, Agar took a gamble and recalled half-back Richard Horne, who had not played for the Airlie Birds since April because of a career-threatening neck injury.

The Great Britain international was welcomed back to the top flight by a crunching tackle from Saints prop James Graham midway through the first half, but Agar hailed the 26-year-old's commitment as he produced an accomplished performance off the bench.

"I thought his effort after what he has come back from, in a game like this, was enormous," said Agar.

"That (the Graham tackle) might have been the best thing for him and I think it would have done his confidence the world of good.

606: DEBATE A very good effort by Horne, he did not look fit enough to stand up let alone play a part in a big game MeathHill

"He got himself up and shook himself down. It was there for everyone to see how underweight he was and his fatigue at the end of the game cost us a little bit."

And Agar is confident his team can bounce back and avenge their Wembley defeat.

"We know we can compete on the big day against the good teams," he said.

"This is our third final in four years and there's no reason we can't come back.

"We need to remember this and how it feels. We can't be happy with a brave effort. Next time we come back we want to win the game."