Hull displayed the level of performance which could carry them to their first Super League Grand Final as they blitzed St Helens to move into second in the table.

Hull put in a powerful display full of defensive effort and attacking invention to leapfrog Saints and now sit just three points behind leaders Leeds Rhinos.

Shaun McRae's side scored three tries in each half to ensure Saints were left still looking for their first win at the KC Stadium.

The home side were nearly off the mark in the third minute but Paul King's effort was disallowed by the video referee for double movement.

The video ref gave another negative verdict at the other end just four minutes later after Paul Wellens touched down for Saints.

But after 10 minutes Hull did get four points on the board when Richard Horne burst through two tackles and swerved under the posts after a sharp pass from Shayne McMenemy. Paul Cooke added the easy extra points.

Stand-off Horne was the architect for Hull's second score just minutes later. His clever inside pass allowed Ewan Dowes to off-load to full-back Shaun Briscoe who sprinted away for his 16th try of the campaign. Cooke again converted.

Hull were playing with huge confidence and Gareth Raynor knocked on with the try line begging before St Helens were dealt a huge blow when captain Paul Sculthorpe was forced off through injury on the half hour mark.

Another high tackle from Mason gave Hull a penalty with half-time approaching and Cooke punished the mistake from 36 metres to stretch the score to 14-0.

And there was more misery for Saints before the half-time hooter.

A high bomb from Horne was knocked on by Ade Gardener and from the ensuing set of six Kirk Yeaman touched down in the corner despite the best efforts of Lee Gilmour.

The only relief for Saints was that the score stayed at 18-0 as Cooke struck the bar with the touchline conversion.

There was no let-up in Hull's commitment after the break as Briscoe's pace again exposed the Saints defence and his clever kick put in Colin Best in the corner. Cooke missed the extra points but his penalty minutes later gave Hull a 24-0 lead.

Saints were forced into ever more desperate defence to keep the score down but were helpless to prevent Raynor adding a fifth try after another burst from Briscoe.

Cooke's conversion gave the home side a remarkable 30-0 lead with an hour gone.

And with Saints barely able to get out of their own half, Yeaman claimed his second of the night to complete the home side's scoring.

Gilmour saved Saints blushes by crossing in front of the posts with five minutes left to maintain St Helens' record of scoring in every game in Super League. Jason Hooper added the extra points.