I'M sure it was a massive relief for not only Paul Wellens, but the Saints faithful as the team ended a five-game losing streak with an emphatic 46-6 win at Hull FC.

In doing that, they also retained the prestigious Steve Prescott Cup which is played out every year between the two clubs that my good friend Prekky represented with such distinction.

It’s great that this sign of respect to Steve is held every year between the two clubs, and along with the Man Of Steel Award his name will forever be used at the highest level of our great game. It was great to see his wife Linzi on hand to present the trophy to Saints returning skipper Morgan Knowles.

It was certainly a more clinical display by the travelling side, and you could clearly see a relieved Wello in his post-match interview. Albeit, he’s certainly not getting carried away with the win, as like Saints, Hull have a large number of first choice players missing and are currently sitting 11th in the Betfred Super League after a dismal season.

But, Saints controlled what they could control. Over 90% completion with the ball is a vast improvement than previous performances, and it was no surprise that with the return of Morgan after a 12-week absence, that standards were up.

With the likes of Lomax, Welsby and Percival missing it made sense to simplify things, and get back to playing ‘flat and fast’ …something Saints have always done better than anyone else.

The returning Joe Batchelor, like Knowles, added some much needed experience and confidence to the team.

Also, credit to Lewis Dodd who was given the No.7 shirt back by Wello, after impressing in training. He crossed for two of St Helens' first-half tries following great work from Daryl Clark and Curtis Sironen respectively.

Another player who crossed the whitewash in the first forty for a personal milestone, was Tommy Makinson.

Tommy scored in the 34th minute for his 186th career try, thus elevating him to seventh on the all-time Super League scoring charts. I don’t need to wax lyrical about Tommy, as people know he’s one of the players of the Super League era that I admire most.

A special mention also to Jake Burns, who after his introduction in the second half ignited more spark into the Saints' attack - and did indeed cross himself for two tries.

In only his second first-team appearance, he showed exactly why Paul Wellens has given him his opportunity... great vision, power and speed out of dummy half, and a player I’m looking forward to seeing more of.

Back to the team overall and as I said nobody will be getting carried away with this win, but it will no doubt give us a much needed confidence boost going into a tough game on Thursday evening against Salford back at the TWS.

The Red Devils come to town, themselves looking to secure a top-six place in the play-offs, and having beaten Castleford and Leeds the past two weeks will fancy their chances.

Salford currently sit in fourth place in the Betfred Super League table, two points ahead of St Helens, so this is a must-win game.

Two of the Salford pack, Oli Partington and the rejuvenated Kallum Watkins are players in great form who Saints must control, along with the man who pulls all the strings for the Red Devils, Mark Sneyd.

Sneyd has been instrumental in the two previous games against the Saints this season, which we were defeated in both for the first time in 44 years. Let’s hope this week is a different story!

One big loss for Salford will be that of Tim Lafai, who for me is one of the most potent attacking players in the competition. He has been handed a one-match suspension following the win against the Rhinos on Saturday, and will miss Thursday's top-five clash.

I’m hoping that building on the win over in Hull, and the return of our own strike centre in Mark Percival, Saints can put the sword to the visitors and take the points.

I’m going for a close win for Saints, who are third favourites at 5/1 at Betfred for a Grand Final win behind odds-on Wigan and Wire at 4/1 while surprise package HKR, who had that huge morale-boosting triumph at high riding Warrington, are 11/2 with the title sponsors.