Jon Wilkin says St Helens looked rusty in win over Leeds
Monday 13 February 2017 15:26, UK
St Helens captain Jon Wilkin was disappointed with their first-half performance after grinding out a 6-4 win over Leeds in the opening match of the 2017 Betfred Super League season.
Leeds took the lead after Joel Moon went over and had plenty of other chances but were held out by some fierce Saints defence and the hosts came out in the second-half to claim the spoils after a converted Theo Fages try.
Wilkin was pleased that his side had made a winning start but admitted there was still plenty of work to do.
"We are really disappointed with a few things in the first half," Wilkin told Sky Sports.
"The way we controlled the ball, our discipline and we were on the wrong end of a penalty count - we really struggled. Leeds threw a lot at us and credit to our defence came up good.
"One thing we wanted to improve on from last year was our defence and today was a day for it to come through - and it did. We have got to be pleased with that.
"Other positives are our character and our willingness to work for each other against a side like Leeds - you look at their players, so many great players - Briscoe, Hall, Watkins and Moon - those guys on their own can destroy you. To contain them they way we did, we are pretty proud of that.
"It's the start of the season but we looked rusty."
Wilkin also praised Saints youngsters Fages and Danny Richardson, who stepped up in the absence of the injured Matty Smith.
"Matty Smith's injury means that two or three lads who may not have had so much responsibility to step up," added Wilkin.
"Danny Richardson is 19 years old and he lead a group of experienced players at this stadium, for me his performance was exceptional. Theo Fages is an instinctive ball runner and is going to be a real asset to us this season. Those two are going to have to do a job because Matty Smith is going to be out for the best part of two or three months.
"It's a good start but lets not get carried away."
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Right some wrongs
Saints coach Keiron Cunningham was also disappointed with the first 40 minutes but was pleased with the reaction.
"We did not do ourselves any justice in the first half really. We were down 7-2 on the penalty count which is tough on any ground especially your home ground. But we had a good chat at the break and the boys came out strong and started to put a few wrongs right.
"It was a real hard fought ground-out victory - it definitely looked like game one of the season, our skills were not quite on the money. But we hung on out there for each other. To do that against a side of that calibre is no mean feat.
"It means a lot to me as a coach and will mean a lot to them as a group of players - they put in a lot of hard work to get results like this."
Encouraging
Despite the loss, Leeds coach Brian McDermott was encouraged by the overall performance of his team.
"It's a loss but I am not too displeased. I don't have too many problems with tonight - it's the start of the season," McDermott told Sky Sports.
"We wanted to achieve a few things on the field and we did that - commitment to each other and commitment to defence. We just could not break Saints down when we got close to their try line.
"I though Saints kicking game in the second half was outstanding. - if you are going to try and pin me down as to what was the difference between the team, I thought their kicking game just pinned us back a few too many times.
"We probably just need to be a bit smarter in attack, but we can build on this performance."
