St Helens (16) 50

T : Adam Swift, Zeb Taia, Aaron Smith, Théo Fages, Dominique Peyroux, Matty Costello 3, Jack Welsby
G : Danny Richardson 7

Catalans Dragons (10) 14

T : Brayden Wiliame 2, Lewis Tierney
G : Sam Tomkins

Matty Costello scored a second half hat-trick as nine-try St Helens thrashed Catalans Dragons 50-14 to protect their four-point lead over Warrington at the top of the Betfred Super League table.

Centre Costello crossed three times in 21 minutes, with six other players joining in the rout of Steve McNamara’s Challenge Cup holders.

Dragons, who ended St Helens’ 100 per cent start to the season at Stade Gilbert Brutus with an 18-10 win on April 6, led 6-0 early on but did not threaten to complete an unlikely double over Justin Holbrook’s seasoned trailblazers.

Since that defeat Saints have won four games in a row, including Wire and derby rivals Wigan, scoring 186 points, 112 in wins over Hull FC and now the Perpignan outfit.

Adam Swift, Zen Taia, aaron Smith, Theo Fages, Dominique Peyroux and Jack Welsby also went over for Saints, with Braden Williame (2) and Lewis Tierney responding for the Dragons.

Match report

Saints : Welsby, Swift, Naiqama, Costello, Grace, Fages, Richardson, Walmsley, Smith, Lees, Taia, Peyroux, Paulo
Subs : Amor, Ashworth, Bentley, Batchelor

Dragons : Gigot, Mead, Langi, Wiliame, Tierney, Tomkins, Smith, Bousquet, Da Costa, Moa, Jullien, Whitley, Casty
Subs : Edwards, Simon, Goudemand, Kasiano,

Stadium : Totally Wicked Stadium

Referee : Robert Hicks

Sin bin : Joseph Paulo