Terry Newton claimed four tries to upstage Lesley Vainikolo and kill off a battling Hull side.

Vainikolo was making his final appearance at the Grattan Stadium before switching to rugby union with Gloucester but Hull looked like denying him a winning engage Super League send-off.

The visitors had held a slender 8-6 lead from the 28th minute when Tame Tupou, the man signed to replace Vainikolo, broke their spirits midway through the second half.

Newton then claimed three more in quick succession to put the result beyond doubt and keep the Bulls within touching distance of leaders St Helens and Leeds.

Vainikolo was held tryless but still has one more game, away at Leeds, to claim the two more he needs to take his Bulls tally to 150 from what would be 152 games.

Paul Deacon, who scored 12 points, added another late try and Vainikolo gave the crowd something to cheer when he was allowed to convert the final score.

Yet Hull's performance, after last week's surprise Challenge Cup loss to Catalans Dragons, had been much improved and they held a narrow advantage at the interval after defending resolutely.

The Bulls showed most of the early attacking intent but Vainikolo's afternoon began inauspiciously when he knocked on at his first play-the-ball.

Hooker Newton was also guilty of knocking on as the Bulls pressed towards the line.

Hull capitalised as Anthony Thackeray broke clear from deep inside his own half on his side's next possession and sent the supporting Motu Tony away for the opening try.

Tony had surprisingly been chosen ahead of Shaun Briscoe at full-back but his lightning break after six minutes gave early vindication to Peter Sharp's selection.

Danny Tickle converted but the Bulls responded impressively with Newton atoning for his earlier error by finishing off a quick counter-attack.

Glenn Morrison, despite suspicion of a forward pass from Deacon, created the opening on the right and gave Newton a simple task to run in and touch down.

Deacon added the extras and the Bulls continued to try to force the pace but Vainikolo, anxious for his try, knocked on from a David Solomona pass.

Hull finished the half strongly with Paul King breaking through but being pulled up for a forward pass and Richard Whiting going close but at least winning a penalty.

Whiting was pulled back by Michael Platt chasing a ball hacked on by Sid Domic. The video referee ruled it had not been a clear tryscoring opportunity but Tickle took the two points on offer.

Hull carried their confidence into the second half and Vainikolo had to be alert in his own in-goal area to scoop the ball up ahead of Tickle after a dangerous Richard Horne kick.

It was not until midway through the period that the Bulls finally managed to muscle their way back into the game and take the lead.

Deacon surprisingly opted to run a penalty but the decision paid off as Tupou squeezed in on the right from a Morrison pass.

Newton then killed off Hull when he raced through after another Tupou charge and grabbed another within minutes.

His fourth came from dummy half with just four minutes remaining and there was still time for Deacon to break through for a try.

That at least allowed Vainikolo the chance to bid farewell with a goal and the giant winger made no mistake.