Francis Meli made it 18 tries for the season with his hat-trick

St Helens: (16) 31
Tries: Meli 3, Gardner, Clough, Long
Goals: Long 3
Drops: Long

Hull: (8) 20
Tries: Tony, Sing, G Horne
Goals: Tickle 4

Francis Meli notched a second-half hat-trick of tries as St Helens extended their lead at the top of the Super League with victory over Hull.

The Challenge Cup finalists were in control throughout with Sean Long, Paul Clough and Ade Gardner all going over in the first half.

Tries from Matt Sing and Graeme Horne gave Hull some hope as the game entered the closing stages.

But Meli sealed the win when he completed his hat-trick on full-time.

"Hull were tenacious and very spirited. I think we thought we were always in control of the game and that was the danger because we let Hull back into it.

"They got pretty confident and got in sight and we had to battle again at the finish. "But we did what we had to do. Last week was a big week and we didn't get into our preparation until late into the week."

"I'm pleased with the tremendous effort. It was a really great effort, though we weren't entirely smart at times.

"We finished the game with second rowers on the wing and we're busted all over.

"So, despite the loss I'm not too disappointed. Playing Saints is the toughest assignment in this country."

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Wilkin, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Graham, Gilmour, Bennett, Flannery.
Replacements: Roby, Hargreaves, Clough, Fa'asavalu.

Hull: Tony, Sing, Whiting, G. Horne, Hall, R. Horne, Head, Dowes, Lee, King, Radford, Manu, Tickle.
Replacements: Houghton, Washbrook, Wheeldon, Maiava.