SAINTS boss Kristian Woolf was pleased with his side’s defensive effort in nilling Toronto Wolfpack at Warrington.
They bounced back to winning ways after last week’s massive World Club challenge – and were always in control against the Wolfpack in the 32-0 triumph.
The atmosphere – in front of a poor crowd at the Halliwell Jones – could not have been any different to last week’s cauldron.
Dom Peyroux. Pic: PA Wire
Woolf said: “It is not an easy thing to do, to play such a big game last week and throw so much energy into it.
“The group deserve a lot of credit. They spoke all week about getting over Saturday and pour the same energy into this week.
“It was pleasing to get over that that bit of disappointment and then come and play a game that doesn’t have the same atmosphere and isn’t quite as big an occasion.
“I thought we did a pretty good job and defended pretty well both halves against a team that is getting better and better.
“Toronto are a team that challenge you and attack at both ends, and chance their arm. I thought we handled that pretty well.
“Our ability to get off the line and pressure that into errors. We did a good job.”
Saints scored five tries, with Jonny Lomax grabbing a brace, with James Bentley, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Aaron Smith grabbing the others.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook scores. Pic: Nigel French/PA Wire
“In the first half I was pleased with how we stuck to our attack,” Woolf said.
“I thought we got a little bit sloppy in the second – but our defence certainly made up for that.
“We dropped off a bit with our discipline with the ball – pushing the odd silly offload that we did not need to do.
“But our attitude towards our defence did not change.”
Jonny Lomax try. Pic: PA Wire
Saints halves both earned praise from the coach.
“Jonny is always spot on and that is what the good players do.
“But I thought the bloke who did well tonight – if you think about his kicking game in the first half and for the majority of the second - was Theo Fages.
“He did a really good job and came up with a couple of big defensive plays too,” Woolf said.
The only downside was the loss of makeshift centre James Bentley with an ankle injury. He will have a scan but is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks.
Saints get back to Friday night football next week with the visit of the only currently unbeaten side Huddersfield Giants.
Woolf said: “Huddersfield are travelling well.
“They have a number of players who I am familiar with and they have a nice, big physical pack that we are going to have to be physical with too.
“We will be looking forward to that.”
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