Blockbusting winger Lesley Vainikolo scored a hat-trick to claim the Super League record for tries in a season as the Bulls demolished an under-strength St Helens side 64-24 at Odsal last night to claim second place in Super League.

Vainikolo had a little help from his friends in breaking the record, with Shontayne Hape turning down the chance to score a hat-trick of his own to hand the Volcano his opener when already over the line himself.

St Helens also came to the party, with coach Ian Millward fielding a side minus seven regulars. Paul Sculthorpe, Keiron Cunningham, Jason Hooper and Darren Albert were among those rested but Sean Long did make an impressive return from a three-month suspension for betting on his side to lose at Odsal on Easter Monday.

The Bulls ran in 11 tries in all, with Stuart Reardon also grabbing a hat-trick. Hape crossed twice, while Mick Withers, Jamie Peacock and Paul Deacon all got over the chalk, with Deacon kicking ten conversions. Vainikolo's fifth treble of the season took him past Leeds stand-off Danny McGuire - who didn't play against London - and set a new Super League record of 36 tries in a season as the champions clinched second place in the table and a play-off match against Leeds at Headingley in two weeks' time - with the winners going straight into the Grand Final.

The losers will have another chance, playing the winners of the first round of play-offs involving the teams who finished third to sixth in Super League.

"I'm delighted for Les and I'm pleased for ourselves," said Bulls coach Brian Noble. "Les was strong and quick and I thought he was really hungry for work."

Bradford's reward is a week off before they take on Leeds in the

qualifying semi-final, while St Helens must travel to arch rivals Wigan in next Saturday's elimination play-off.

"We have had to work harder this year because the competition is tougher. I'm delighted with second place," said Noble.

Although Saints were well beaten, Millward was delighted by the display of Long, who had a hand in two of his side's three tries and kicked four goals, despite being booed throughout by the Bradford fans.

"I thought he was fantastic," said Millward.

Noble, who is expected to choose Long in his Great Britain squad for the Tri-Nations Series, was also encouraged by his comeback.

"I thought he looked like a player whose had three months off - sharp and fresh," he said.