AUSTRALIAN forward Kai O’Donnell scored four tries as play-off seeking Leigh returned to winning ways with an eight try, 42-12 Betfred Super League victory over second-bottom Hull FC.

The Australian back rower opened the scoring and then touched down three times in the second half to complete a first-ever Super League hat-trick as Hull’s stubborn first-half resistance was broken.

Full-back Zak Hardaker – one of a number of Leigh stars joining the Black and Whites next season – also crossed for a double as the hosts notched 30 unanswered points after the break.

Playmaker Lachlan Lam was a further standout performer for the home team as his future continues to be the subject of speculation.

Both sides scored two converted tries and had a man sin binned by referee Jack Smith in a seesaw first period.

Will Gardiner’s yellow card for persistent team offending was the prelude to the game’s opening try from O’Donnell after 18 minutes.

Leigh had another Tom Amone effort ruled out and Edwin Ipape was held up on the try-line before Lam’s pass sent Frankie Halton racing over after 28 minutes. Darnell McIntosh improved both.

Hull’s response was to hit back with two tries in four minutes to send the teams in level at the break.

Full-back Lewis Moy finished off breaks by Denive Balmforth and Carlos Tuimavave before Hull old boy McIntosh was shown a yellow card for a dangerous lift of winger Lewis Martin.

Hull worked the ball to their right where Harvey Barron got the better of Josh Charnley to score by the corner post, while Jack Charles added the extras, including his second via a post.

McIntosh was still on the sidelines when Leigh regained their lead, five minutes after the break. Moy knocked on coming out of defence and several plays later, Lam angled a kick to the tryline for O’Donnell to register his second try.

Hardaker took on kicking responsibilities but dragged his attempt wide. However, when Lam and O’Donnell linked again, Hardaker took the final pass to score in front of the Northstanders.

Hull’s hopes of another comeback revived when Owen Trout was sin binned for a head shot on Yusuf Aydin.

Instead, the home side recorded a game-breaking fifth try as Lam’s cutout pass allowed McIntosh to cross over in the corner.

Back-row forward O’Donnell, who returns to the NRL next season, notched his fourth try after 72 minutes, while Hardaker rounded off the scoring in the final minute.

The result leaves Leigh eighth on the Super League ladder ahead of the Magic Weekend fixtures at Elland Road, where Lam's side will go up against Salford Red Devils next Sunday, kick-off 1.30pm.

Leigh are five points adrift of the top six at this point, with Salford one of three sides on 26 points that the Leopards are attempting to hunt down to win a place in the play-offs - with the others being Catalans Dragons and St Helens.