Hall's hat-trick inspired Hull to victory (Getty)

Hull went five points clear of bottom club Castleford as a dominant display gave Richard Agar his first Super League victory since taking charge.

A maiden try for 17-year-old Tom Briscoe saw the hosts take the lead before Craig Huby hit back for Cas.

But tries from Craig Hall and Kirk Yeaman helped them into an 18-8 lead at the break and they then cut loose.

Ned Catic's try briefly raised Cas hopes but Hall went over twice more and Yeaman completed his brace.

Aside from Hall's hat-trick, stand-off Danny Washbrook was superb in both attack and defence and his contribution to the win was equally decisive for the home side.

Despite a wretched run of four straight league defeats, punctuated by a commendable Challenge Cup win at Bradford, the Black and Whites got off to a great start as reverse passes from Kirk Yeaman and Willie Manu sent Briscoe clear for a sixth minute opener.

Danny Tickle added the extras before trading penalties with Kirk Dixon, but Tigers' hopes of victory were dented when hooker Scott Moore went off with a leg injury.

Huby crashed over to level for Cas, but Hull were soon back in front as first Hall and then Yeaman added scores before the interval.

Catic's first try since his return to Super League capped a blistering start to the second half by the visitors, but Tickle added a further penalty to extend Hull's lead.

Hall's second try, after a smart grubber kick from Dykes, extinguished any hopes of a Castleford comeback, while Tickle added another penalty to put Hull firmly in the driving seat.

A clever ball from Dykes sent Hall away for his hat-trick and despite the absence of Gareth Carvell - who was sin-binned for blocking Sherwin - Yeaman raced 40 metres for his second try of the match to wrap it up for Hull.

Hull boss Richard Agar:
"I was really pleased with it. I think we are forgetting that we're second last in the table - we're not there by accident.

"It was a good win, we've scored 40 points and had some good defence.

"We defended our try line pretty well against a team that can score points and I thought it was a very pleasing aspect of our play today."

Castleford boss Terry Matterson:
"They worked us over pretty well and the penalty count kept climbing, that was the game.

"Our last plays didn't help us and that was a difference between the sides. I thought they were really good in the middle, won the ground and wore us down.

"They're a good side that we played today, a lot better than their league position."

Hull: Byrne, Sing, G. Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, Washbrook, Dykes, Dowes, Berrigan, Carvell, Manu, Tickle, Radford.
Replacements: Thackray, Houghton, Wheeldon, Hall.

Castleford: Donlan, Dixon, Shenton, McGoldrick, Wainwright, Dorn, Sherwin, Higgins, Moore, Huby, Catic, Lupton, Westerman.
Replacements: Henderson, Clayton, Boyle, Owen.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington)