Paul Wellens continued his incredible scoring run as holders St Helens marched into the Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a 12-try romp at Knowsley Road.

The Great Britain full-back and reigning Man of Steel claimed two first-half tries to take his season tally to 18 and 16 in his last last eight games.

Local lad Wellens, who grew up within striking distance of Knowsley Road, again took the plaudits but in truth Rochdale were no match for the engage Super League champions.

The part-time Hornets, bottom of National League One, were mercilessly and predictably swept aside by a Saints team who now have their sights set firmly on retaining the famous trophy.

Daniel Anderson's men are just two games away from a place in the Challenge Cup final at the rebuilt Wembley on August 25.

There is little doubt they possess the strength and class to go all the way.

Aside from Wellens' typically astute finishing, Jon Wilkin claimed a hat-trick, Francis Meli and Ade Gardner crossed the line twice while skipper Paul Sculthorpe, James Graham and Maurie Fa'asavalu were also on the mark.

The visitors began gamely enough but their early resistance was broken in the ninth minute when Leon Pryce and Willie Talau combined to send Meli over in the left corner.

Saints' second try, six minutes later, was classic Saints as Kiwi prop Jason Cayless produced a delightful offload to send Matty Smith bursting clear from midfield.

Smith, a former Everton academy player who trained alongside Wayne Rooney in the junior ranks at Goodison Park, ushered Wilkin under the posts from 20 metres.

St Helens began to up the tempo as the half wore on and their third score in the 25th minute was indicative of their control.

It came when James Roby's neat short offload sent Great Britain prop Graham over the line from close range before Wellens quickly assumed centre stage.

Wellens can do no wrong at present and two trademark tries saw him burst clear to cross the line in the 32nd and 36th minutes to continue his remarkable scoring run.

With half-time approaching, a perfect crossfield kick from Smith gave Gardner a try on a plate in the right-hand corner and Sculthorpe added his sixth goal from as many attempts.

St Helens did not ease up after the break and good work from Matt Gidley sent Gardner over in the 44th minute and Wilkin soon had his second after taking Keiron Cunningham's rapier-like pass from close to the line.

A teasing grubber from Wellens handed Meli another try in the 54th minute before Rochdale delighted their small band of supporters shortly before the hour mark when winger Bolu Fagborun scampered clear in the left-hand corner.

Kevin King landed the conversion but Saints quickly hit back when Sculthorpe went over in the right corner.

Yet the Hornets struck again with 12 minutes remaining when winger Eric Andrews went over but Fa'asavalu added another try for Saints and Wilkin completed his hat-trick before Sculthorpe landed his 11th goal from 12 attempts.