Pryce went over for his first hat-trick of the season

St Helens ended their three-match losing run with an emphatic victory over Harlequins.

Leon Pryce and Sean Long were the chief architects of the win with Pryce scoring a hat-trick of tries and Long kicking nine goals and scoring a try.

Francis Meli, James Roby, Paul Wellens, Matt Gidley and Ade Gardner (twice) also went over for the home side.

All Quins could offer were tries from Gareth Haggerty and Matt Gafa, both converted by Rob Purdham.

Captain Paul Sculthorpe made his comeback to the side for his 250th club appearance and played 53 minutes before being replaced.

But afterwards coach Daniel Anderson allayed any fears of another injury concern for the former Great Britain skipper.

"He got hit in the nuts and, remember, this was only his second or third game this year, so 53 minutes was enough for him," he said afterwards.

"He was definitely blowing and that was making it difficult for him but there was nothing untoward."

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson (on Leon Pryce):

"He is very, very difficult to tackle and also made a big contribution defensively.

"There was a bit more steel about us but we played very well and have done our points difference some good. But we need to do it consistently.

"There was some nervousness before the game but there were some very nice tries."

Harlequins coach Brian McDermott:

"We caught Saints at the wrong time and on the back of three losses they were always going to be dangerous.

"But I don't think we were good at all tonight and we were poor throughout with the ball.

"Leon Pryce is 6ft 4in but sometimes when you see him running he looks like he is 8ft 12in. He ended up being 9ft 15in by the time that game finished. He's a big man to stop."

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Hargreaves, Roby, Cayless, Wilkin, Sculthorpe, Flannery.
Replacements: Bennett, Clough, Fa'asavalu, Frodsham.

Harlequins: Wells, Clubb, Gafa, Howell, Sheriffe, Paul, Orr, Temata, Randall, Ward, Worrincy, Mbu, Purdham.
Replacements: Melling, Haggerty, Grayshon, Sharp.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)