Long night for Airlie Birds
Sean Long helped St Helens triumph 30-6 against Hull FC, the team he will be joining at the end of the season.
Last Updated: 05/06/09 11:28pm
Sean Long showed his future employers what they can expect to see in 2010 as he inspired St Helens to a 30-6 victory over Hull FC.
The scrum-half had no divided loyalties despite signing a deal this week to move to the KC Stadium from Knowsley Road.
The Airlie Birds were powerless to stop Long and his current team-mates recording a 15th straight success away from home, a feat that equals the record set by Bradford in 1997.
Paul Wellens helped himself to a hat-trick, taking his scoring run to 10 in six games, as Hull suffered a ninth loss in their last 11 outings.
How the hosts could have done with Long on their side. The 32-year-old had a hand in five of Saints' six scores, as well as kicking three conversions.
Flowing move
Having absorbed some early home pressure, the visitors opened the scoring when Jonny Lomax finished off a flowing move after 13 minutes.
Wellens opened his personal account following a break from Jon Wilkin, though Hull threatened to make a game of it when Danny Tickle crashed over.
However, Wellens dealt a serious blow to the Black and Whites with a try on the stroke of half time before completing his treble 13 minutes after the break.
It was Long's kick that bounced kindly back into the arms of the full-back that set the tone for a period of Saints dominance.
Lee Gilmour touched down to make sure of the points and there was still time for another try before the final hooter.
Long, who has signed a two-year deal with Hull after only being offered a 12-month extension by Saints, slotted over his third kick of the game after he and Matty Ashurst had combined to send Maurie Fa'asavalu to the line.
