Hull felt the backlash from St Helens' trouncing by Wigan as Ian Millward's men went in search of retribution.

St Helens went storming back to the top of the Super League, ahead of Bradford's clash with Wigan on Saturday, with an 11-try spectacular.

Bradford can go back top if they beat Wigan at Valley Parade but they need to win by 45 points to do so.

"We have really put the pressure on Bradford," said Millward.

"We were without four key players and to put 50 points past a top-four team is pretty special.

"It was not a good day last week but we learned a lot of things and I'm very, very pleased."

Saints, unbeaten at Knowsley Road all season, ran in four tries in the first 20 minutes and added two more, including a 95-metre dash from Darren Albert, by half-time.

Winger Tony Stewart, hooker Mick Higham (2) and full-back Paul Wellens also crossed for Saints in the first half.

And Paul Sculthorpe, second-rower Tim Jonkers, substitute forward Mark Edmondson, Wellens and Tommy Martyn (2) completed the rout after the break.

Hull scored two consolations through scrum-half Tony Smith and former Saints winger Chris Smith.

But they were outclassed by St Helens, who were stung into drastic action by their 48-8 defeat by Wigan.

Hull coach Shaun McRae said: "Sometimes scorelines don't always reflect the nature of the game but tonight it did.

"There was a very good side out there and one very poor side.

"We were poles apart and that's what hurts most.

"I don't mind losing to a very good side when they play like that but conceding 64 points is very disappointing.

"I've got to look at the structure of the team.

"There's something eating away there, it's becoming cancerous and I'm going to have to get a surgeon in to cut it out.

"I guess I will be that surgeon."

Replacements: Stankevitch, Nickle, Edmondson, Gardner.

Hull: Prescott, C. Smith, Kohe-Love, Mackay, Crowther, R. Horne, T. Smith, Greenhill, Jackson, King, Maher, Fletcher, Chester.

Replacements: Carvell, Cooke, Logan, Poucher.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham)