Paul Wellens' sensational four-try masterclass killed off the French resistance from Catalans Dragons and powered St Helens two points clear at the engage Super League summit.

The Great Britain full-back, who was last season crowned Man of Steel after helping Saints to all three trophies with something to spare, again proved his finishing skills are as imperious as his defensive prowess.

He crossed the line four times within the space of 26 second-half minutes to settle an often-scrappy encounter in which Saints never managed to find top gear.

The scoreline may tell a different story but the truth is Daniel Anderson's men were forced to overcome an uncomfortable opening before going on to claim a total of 10 tries, six of which skipper Paul Sculthorpe converted.

Despite being crippled by injury, Catalans made a purposeful start and wasted two glorious chances before opening the scoring in the seventh minute.

First, a gilt-edged opportunity came and went inside the opening minute when left winger Dimitri Pelo inexplicably played an inside pass straight to Saints counterpart Ade Gardner when several team-mates were in support.

Saints were then dealt a blow in the second minute when second rower Lee Gilmour suffered a recurrence of a knee injury and was replaced by youngster Paul Clough.

The disruption did nothing to quell Catalans' early momentum and, after full-back Clint Greenshields threw a horribly overcooked pass into touch when wing Thomas Bosc was completely unmarked, they forged ahead in the seventh minute.

Unsurprisingly, veteran New Zealand scrum-half Stacey Jones was the architect, flighting a teasing crossfield kick deep into St Helens territory.

Catalans centre Adam Mogg palmed the ball back and loose forward Julien Touxagas collected possession and scampered over the line.

Bosc added the extras but Saints began to get into their stride and claimed their first try in the 15th minute.

Sean Long's short offload found Kiwi prop Jason Cayless bustling over the line from close-range and the try was given after review from video referee Ian Smith.

Paul Sculthorpe missed the conversion from near the touchline and faltered again with the boot after Sean Long sent Leon Pryce powering over for Saints' second try midway through the opening period.

And, shortly before the hour mark, fine work from Sculthorpe close to the line allowed Keiron Cunningham to burrow over from point-blank range.

This time, Sculthorpe did convert and, five minutes before the interval, good work from Pryce gave Matt Gidley the space to go over in the right corner.

Sculthorpe's attempted conversion hit the post but Long soon added a drop-goal from 40 metres to extend Saints' lead to 19-6 at the break.

St Helens needed little more than sixty seconds to extend their lead after the restart as Wellens collected a loose ball just short of the line and touched down.

Sculthorpe again missed the conversion but Catalans' spirited response saw them claim their second try within 11 minutes of the restart.

Hooker Lionel Teixido's exquisite offload found the onrushing Pelo arriving from the left flank and he crashed over the line to breath new life into the Dragons' hopes.

Bosc missed the conversion and a brilliant individual try from Wellens - who collected the ball and held off three tackles to race over for his second score shortly before the hour mark - saw the pendulum quickly swing back towards St Helens.

Two further scores from Wellens earned him the plaudits, while Maurie Fa'asavalu crossed near the right touchline before Francis Meli scampered clear in the opposite corner.

Sculthorpe ended with six goals - but this was Wellens' night.