Hull made a stunning start to their 2010 Super League campaign in difficult conditions, beating perennial title contenders St Helens at their home ground.

A thick a blanket of fog descended on the GPW Stadium leading to speculation that the game may be called off due to poor visibility.

However officials decided that conditions were fit for play - even if viewing the game was difficult from a spectator's point of view - and Hull adapted the better of the two sides in the opening 40 minutes.

The first 24 minutes were scoreless before Hull opened the scoring when Willie Manu charged onto a flat pass from halfback Sean Long and crashed over next to the posts.

They scored again in the 37th minute when rampaging replacement forward Epalahame Lauaki brushed aside Leon Pryce and reached out to give Hull a 12-0 lead at the half-time break.

The second-half produced more of the same as Hull continued to build on their lead adding tries through the outstanding Sean Long and Tom Briscoe.

Australian centre Mat Gidley finally gave the home fans something to cheer about in the 65th minute when he opened St Helens’ account for 2010 with a try after Hull fullback Jordan Tansey had been sin-binned for a professional foul.

St Helens threatened to launch an unlikely comeback when they scored again minutes later through Chris Flannery.

However Hull resisted the late charge and added one more try to complete a comprehensive 32-12 victory.