THE seven-try haul of Kevin Naiqama and Adam Swift may have captured some headlines, but it was the contribution of stand off Jonny Lomax that truly made the difference in Saints’ 62-12 walloping of Hull FC.

For the opening 10 minutes it was looking very much like a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show following Saints’ Good Friday triumph over Wigan and their vanquishing of neighbours Warrington.

Read: Holbrook Q&A>

With injuries and the need to freshen up the squad after two high intensity games, it was very much a changed line up to take on the Black and Whites.

Although Hull settled first, crossing twice to take a 10-0 lead, Saints soon clicked into gear to allow the home support the opportunity to extend their Easter celebrations.

Key to that was Lomax’s contribution.

Outstanding all year, his testimonial season, the 28-year-old Billinger marked his 200th appearance in the red vee with a stellar performance that combined a rolled up sleeves industry with a vision and some silky-skilled finesse.

It has been what he has been dishing up ever since he returned to the halves, but in recent weeks in the absence of Theo Fages he has taken an even more dominant role.

Smart and brave, his dummy-and-go for the first try followed by the strong burst for the second encapsulated his performance.

From there there was no looking back as Saints - with their middles immense - totally dominant.

With Alex Walmsley rested and Luke Thompson picking up a serious ankle injury early on, it was down to 21-year-old England Knight Matty Lees to front up in a 70-minute graft in the heat.

He had good support off the bench from Jack Ashworth who put in some thunderous hits and with the ball managed a succession of offloads out the tackle that the Octopus Man Peter Gorley would have been proud of.

And off the back of that collective work in the middle, Saints were able to exploit the spaces out wide, with Naiqama and Swift with four and three tries respectively, having a field day.

Saints: Coote; Swift, Naiqama, Makinson, Grace; Lomax, Richardson; Lees, Roby, Thompson, Batchelor, Knowles, Paulo. Subs: Amor, Peyroux, Ashworth, Welsby.

Hull FC: Connor; Faraimo, Scott, Tuimavave, Naulago; Kelly, Sneyd; Taylor, Headley, Matongo, Minichiello, Manu, Westerman. Subs: Thompson, Green, Litten, Fash.