Coaches salute Challenge Cup classic

10:46am Sunday 11th May 2008

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DANIEL Anderson says he witnessed some of the best skill levels he has ever seen as Saints beat Warrington 40-34 in a Carnegie Challenge Cup thriller.

Saints have now gone 23 games without losing to their neighbours, and Anderson's side once again fought back for victory despite trailing three times in a classic fifth-round tie, in which young winger Kevin Penny provided a strong candidate for try of the season.

It was one of the most skilful displays on show that I've ever seen. I have never seen bigger plays than from players on both sides.

Daniel Anderson

Afterwards, Anderson said: "It was a very stressful afternoon for both coaches and for a lot of the players.

"I don't think it was hot but is the first real game this season the players have played in the heat so they probably felt a bit more pain the normal.

"That probably contributed to some of the tries and decisions.

"But in general it was one of the most skilful displays on show that I've ever seen.

"I have never seen bigger plays than from players on both sides.

"All credit to Warrington. Even when we were ahead by 16, I thought they would come back. They are an extremely dangerous team.

"Even with seven minutes to go you could sense we thought it was all over and they just walked through us for a couple of tries.

"Then it became a very hairy play down the other end and thankfully Longy got down on the ball."

He added: "That was a great spectacle for our sport - with a ridiculous amount of tries and I am sure the BBC is rubbing their hands together."

Anderson, meanwhile, described Penny's length of the field try as "one of the best I've ever seen".

However, Penny was both the hero and villain for the Wolves as his error handed Saints the initiative late in the second half.

The Saints coach described the teenager as a "rough diamond", who would mature with experience.

Warrington coach Paul Cullen, meanwhile, said: "The game was a classic. It was a fantastic exhibition of rugby league skill in offence and defence.

"St Helens weren't perfect or error free, we weren't perfect or error free and the officials certainly weren't perfect or error free.

"I would begrudge any headlines going to the competence of the officials or not when we have seen an exhibition of rugby league skill like that.

"The players deserve the headlines they have earned it, I don't think the others have."

Wolves lost Stuart Reardon (ruptured Achilles tendon), Chris Riley (damage ankle ligaments) and Paul Johnson (knee ligament injury), while ex-Saint Martin Gleeson was a late withdrawal, having being taken ill with a virus that resulted on him being on a drip in the hours before the game.

Cullen added: "We've controlled everything in our power today as best we could during very difficult circumstances."