Luci McColm scored 28 points as St Helens inflicted Leigh Leopards’ heaviest defeat with an 80-0 thumping to go top of the Women’s Super League table.
Saints extended their undefeated start to the season to eight games, scoring 15 tries, while McColm added 10 conversions and two tries of her own in the first ever meeting of these two teams.
Newly-promoted Leigh could not live with Saints, who leapfrog Wigan Warriors to the summit, although Wigan are likely to reclaim top spot when they face winless bottom club Warrington Wolves on Sunday.
Dani McGifford caused the early damage for Saints with two tries in the opening 12 minutes, punctuated by the first of Rachael Woosey’s two tries.
Tries from Darcy Stott, Beri Salihi and Hollie Bawden made it 30-0 at half-time and there was no relief for the Leopards after the break as McColm’s two tries, and one from Georgia Sutherland kept the scoreboard ticking over.
McGifford completed her hat-trick to make it 10 for the season and move with one try of league leaders Amelia Brown, of Huddersfield, and Wigan pair Eva Hunter and Grace Banks.
Katie Mottershead and captain Jodie Cunningham got in on the scoring, before Phoebe Hook added two more in the space of two minutes, with McColm and Woosey both adding their second tries to reach the 80-point mark.
