SAINTS coach Keiron Cunningham was delighted with the way his side got stuck into the Leeds Rhinos from the word go at Headingley.

They produced a gritty, aggressive performance - kicking smartly, forcing errors and defending their line stoutly.

After four consecutivelosses Cunningham believes the win will give them a base to kick on from.

Cunningham said: "It wasn't the best we have been with the ball.

"There is a lot of improvement in our attack but defensively I was really happy with our intent from minute one. You saw that at the start of the game and we forced a few errors.

"We have been in a dark place in the last four weeks. The break did us good, we came back, did some hard work and I'd like to think we would kick on from here.

"Defence wins games and we forced a lot of errors from Leeds and put them in a bad spot on a number of occasions.

"We haven't competed in the arm wrestle long enough in recent weeks but you could see us kicking early from quick rucks and challenging Leeds to return the ball. Luke Walsh was phenomenal and led a great pack. Jon Wilkin was great too and Alex Walmsley just gets better every week."

Leeds were missing Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins and Rob Burrow but still fielded strong team that bounced into this match after the Wembley win.

"It's always tough to come here. Leeds are on the back of a cup win, their emotion as high and they have been talking about what they wanted to do after the Cup Final. But we were determined too. We had good focus in training and it showed," Cunningham said.

"Getting Wilko back gave the team so much. People asked why I made him Captain - well you saw that when he was missing. You could see the leadership he gave the team and the calmness tonight in heated situations.

"We have changed the way we play slightly and it seems to be suiting us. It's not like last year though, I'd prefer to keep my halves on the field and Wilko. Last year is gone, the fairy tale is never going to happen again like that.

"It's a results based industry and a few people have thrown some snide digs in and kicked us when we are down.

"We have a lot of togetherness as the minute and are in this run together. We like the idea we have been written off."