SAINTS finished their regular league campaign with a 52-12 thrashing of Hull KR at Langtree Park.

Joe Greenwood and Adam Swift each bagged a brace in the nine-try romp with halves Luke Walsh and Travis Burns pulling the strings to run the weak Rovers defence ragged.

The victory puts Saints back to the top of the table, at least temporarily, following their last league match before the Super 8s.

Saints rested James Roby ahead of next week's Challenge Cup semi-final with Leeds with Lewis Charnock starting at dummy half but welcomed back Atelea Vea from the bench and Luke Thompson.

With both sides involved in Challenge Cup semi-finals next week it was perhaps no surprise to see a cagey opening to the match.

It was Saints who had the early opportunities, Andre Savelio and Joe Greenwood both getting over the line to be held up by the Rovers defence.

As Saints continued to press, the pressure finally told as Walsh's high kick was spilled by Keiran Dixon, Burns putting Joe Greenwood over. Walsh adding the extras.

Seconds later Saints had doubled their lead as Adam Quinlan broke through the middle, finding Josh Jones on his inside who fed Burns to go over against his former club.

Another Rovers mistake saw Saints go close only for Swift to spill the ball over the line.

But the rampant Saints added their third from the next set, Matty Dawson put over in the corner, with Walsh adding the touchline conversion.

A superb Burns 40-20 put Saints in good position again and substitute Atelea Vea forced his way over to mark his return to the side.

With Saints in total control, Rovers got themselves back into the match before the break with two quick scores.

Dixon picked up a loose pass to beat Burns and Quinlan to scamper over on 30 minutes.

Moments later John Boudebza was over for Hull KR's second as the visitors broke through Saints' left side defence.

Walsh missed the chance to extend Saints' lead with a penalty on the stroke of half-time hitting the uprights as the sides went in at 24-12.

Saints put themselves back in command as Quinlan continued the wonder start to his Saints career, racing in unopposed after collecting a Rovers kick.

Substitute Mark Flanagan got Saints' sixth try of the night, stepping his way through the weak Rovers defence.

Saints brought up the 40 as Greenwood added his second after Walsh and Burns combined.

Swift got himself on the scoresheet with six minutes to go to add Saints' eighth of the night.

The winger then added his second strolling in from his own half to bring up the half century with Walsh adding his eighth conversion to complete the rout.