St Helens kept up the pressure on the engage Super League's leading pack with a nine-try 44-6 demolition of an off-colour Harlequins.

Paul Wellens and Matt Gidley did the majority of the damage for the reigning champions, helping themselves to two tries each, while Saints skipper Paul Sculthorpe scored a try and also added three goals.

The visitors drew first blood through a scrappy Leon Pryce try - the Great Britain international stand-off the quickest to react to a loose ball before bundling over in the corner.

The lead was then further extended when Keiron Cunningham released Sculthorpe, who eased over the line.

After being outplayed in the first quarter, Quins began to dominate and after 25 minutes dragged themselves back into the game with a try.

Mark McLinden burst through the Saints defence and released Chris Melling, who went over for his first of the season.

The ascendancy was now with the home side and McLinden was proving a constant threat - his pass to Zeb Luisi nearly providing the Kiwi with a first try of the season but he was repelled by strong Saints defence.

World club champions St Helens eventually showed their class to score two tries in the final minutes of the half.

First Matt Gidley went over and then, right on the half-time hooter, Sean Long provided the pass for Pryce, who in turn slipped in Francis Meli to score.

Harlequins never got a look-in after the break as Saints ran in five unanswered tries in an all-star showing.

Steve Tyrer was the first to touch down, running half the length of the pitch to score. His effort seemed to open the floodgates as St Helens ran in tries at will.

Wellens then scored after being released by Long as Saints created chaos down the left flank.

Last season's Man of Steel, Wellens, added another try to his account midway through the half, while further touchdowns from Willie Talau and Gidley completed the rout to condemn Quins to their third home loss of the season.