St Helens were left dazed by a rampaging first-half performance from Leeds Rhinos as they fell to a 41-16 Super League defeat on Friday.
Five tries before the break - including three for Ash Handley - put the Rhinos firmly in control at Langtree Park and Saints were unable to claw their way back into the match in the second half.
Hardley opened the scoring after three minutes with a breakaway effort, adding his second soon after, with Zak Hardaker touching down to cap a blistering start from the visitors.
Liam Sutcliffe had been on target to convert all three of the visitors' opening tries, but Kevin Sinfield - named as a substitute for the first time since 2003 - assumed kicking duties after coming on as a 28th-minute replacement for Adam Cuthbertson.
Sinfield's first duty was to convert a Danny McGuire try on the half-hour mark, before Tommy Makinson finally got Saints on the scoresheet.
Handley then caught a cross-field kick to send his side in with a 28-6 lead at the interval and complete his hat-trick.
A Jordan Turner double at the beginning of the second half threatened to spark a St Helens fightback, but Leeds never allowed them to come within touching distance.
Sutcliffe and Joel Moon added to the visitors glut of first-half tries, while Sinfield added another six points from the tee.
The result sees Leeds extend their lead over Saints at the top of the Super League to six points.