MATCH SUMMARY Hull (22) 44 Tries: Whiting 2, Blacklock, Briscoe 2, McMenemy, R Horne, McNicholas Goals: Cooke 5, Brough St Helens (0) 6 Tries: Fa'asavalu Goal: Long.

Saints, whose coach Ian Millward was sacked on Tuesday, started well but were always on the back foot after Richard Whiting scored on 17 minutes.

Nathan Blacklock and two tries from Shaun Briscoe added to Saints' woes as Hull claimed a 22-0 half-time lead.

Whiting crossed again on 47 minutes and although St Helens got on the scoresheet through Maurie Fa'asavalu, the result was never in doubt.

The result will put further pressure on the St Helens board, who dismissed the highly successful Millward for gross misconduct during the week.

They played their part in a high-tempo opening but once their defences were broken down, Saints had no real response.

We prepared for the game properly and executed everything we practised Hull coach John Kear

As disappointing as St Helens were, Hull should claim full credit for their disciplined and ruthless performance.

Jamie Thackray, Richard Horne and Whiting were superb but Hull coach John Kear refused to single out any player for praise.

"I would say that was our best performance of the season," said Hull coach John Kear.

"We prepared for the game properly and executed everything we practised.

"The players were very special. I shook the hands of the St Helens players as they left the field and they were very gracious in defeat and said some complimentary things about our performance.

I can't fault the effort and commitment of any St Helens player Acting Saints coach Dave Rotheram

"It would be extremely unfair to single one player out. The first 20 minutes was a real battle and fortunately we were able to kick on from there."

Acting St Helens coach Dave Rotheram admitted Hull were the better team but said he did not know whether he would be in charge when Saints play Widnes next week.

"The question about the future is one for the chairman. He hasn't mentioned the situation to me," he said.

"The players are resolute. They will go away and review this and come back stronger.

"I can't fault the effort and commitment of any St Helens player. We made some silly errors, giving away penalties at crucial times and losing the ball but we were better than the scoreline suggests."

Hull: Briscoe, Blacklock, Saxton, Yeaman, Raynor, Cooke, R Horne, Dowes, King, Thackray, McMenemy, Kearney, Whiting.
Replacements: Carvell, Brough, McNicholas, Washbrook.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Lyon, Gilmour, Albert, Hooper, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, P Anderson, Wilkin, Bennett, Sculthorpe.
Replacements: Edmondson, Higham, Mason, Fa'asavalu.

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington)