Ladder leaders St Helens thrashed third-place Hull FC 40-12, while there were also wins for Wigan and Leeds in Super League action on Friday (Saturday AEST).
Hull coach Lee Radford says his key players need a change of mindset if they are to avoid their Super League season petering out after watching his side’s loss at home to Saints, which came a week after being humbled by relegation-threatened neighbours Hull KR.
Radford’s men trailed 40-0 before producing a late fightback that brought tries for Jamie Shaul and Ratu Naulago but it was scant consolation as they crashed to a fifth home defeat of the season.
Hull have conceded 102 points at the hands of St Helens so far this year and the bad news for the Black and Whites is that these two sides meet for a third time in September.
“It was a self-inflicted loss in many ways, very similar to last week,” Radford said.
“The only difference is that last week we were playing the bottom of league and this week we were playing the top of the league.
“How we go about our business in terms of building the foundation of a game, the penny has got to drop for our pivotal players real soon. We’ve got to learn quickly or it’s going to be a long finish to the season.”
Australian fullback Lachlan Coote scored two of St Helens’ seven tries and kicked six conversions for a 20-point haul as Justin Holbrook’s men pulled 10 points clear of Warrington.
The leaders brushed off the absence of skipper James Roby as well as back-up hooker Aaron Smith, with James Bentley proving a useful operator around the rucks.
“Coote was tremendous and I thought James Bentley was enormous for us,” said Holbrook.
“To step in at nine and play 80 minutes defend so well, I’m real happy for him.
“It’s a tough place to come and play, with a hostile crowd, so to come away with a good win like that, I’m really happy.
“It was a really good performance from us. There are areas for improvement for sure but it was a dominant win.
“We know how dangerous an attacking side Hull are so to keep them scoreless for long periods of the game was fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Wigan head coach Adrian Lam believes he has finally seen the best of his side as they ran in nine tries to hammer Hull KR.
Liam Marshall helped himself to a hat-trick of tries, while Liam Farrell added a brace with Zak Hardaker, George Williams, Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess all crossing over as they romped to a 52-10 success.
“I think that was our best performance of the year so far, without a doubt,” said Lam.
“Considering there was no Sean O’Loughlin, Ben Flower or Joe Greenwood and not to mention the others who are missing, we have some guys out in the middle who are enjoying their rugby and they are playing for each other.”
Lam admits he cannot believe that they are now sitting fourth on the ladder and believes that is testament to the whole Super League competition.
He added: “We have a happy dressing room. The last two-and-a-half months have been really positive and enjoyable. I still can’t believe we are fourth.
“I think it’s great for the game that there are upsets at the moment and there are so many teams in a position to potentially go down and actually still make the five.
“I think it’s great for the game, it’s not a negative point in any sense and it gives everyone an opportunity to turn up on the day and win.”
Elsewhere, struggling Leeds managed to upset Castleford 18-10 away from home.
