SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham was pleased with the way the team bounced back from last week's disappointment against Leeds with the improvement in some players highlighted.

He was also delighted - if not a little relieved - to see Luke Walsh get through his first full game since last July.

Level at the break, Saints pulled away in the second half to record a 34-16 victory.

Cunningham said: "The boys did well. We played a little nervous at times which is probably understandable as there is a lot of pressure on them to perform. There is a big expectation at this club to play well.

"We played carefree at times and we looked good and other times we looked nervous.

"In the first half we had 55 per cent of possession and completed at 90 per cent. We attacked really well in that period of the first half. It was good to get the win and there were good performances from certain individuals."

After a quiet performance against Leeds, Mose Masoe was thrown on from the start and he raised his game accordingly with his storming runs setting the tone.

"Mose went well. We started him to get that performance and I thought young Greg Richards was outstanding - he was brilliant.

"Jordan Turner hasn't had the best couple of weeks but I thought he was immense. He was one of the best players on the field.

"I also thought Tommy Makinson at full back did a great job for us. Converting from wing to full back is hard and he is learning from Paul Wellens who is one of the best there is.

"We did lots of good things tonight - Widnes are a good side. They came and put the challenge down. It was a tough game and the boys came through it."

There was special praise for Mark Percival, who returned to action after a spell on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

Percival, displaying the poise and finesse of a future international, scored one and created another after joining the fray.

Cunningham said: "It was good to welcome back Mark Percival. He is different class and does stuff you can't teach. He is an immense talent and I'm sure will be a future international.

"Matty Fleming did well in his second game too. He got caught out a couple of times but you get that with young players learning their trade.

"His debut was a high for him and to back it up again, at home, with a super crowd.

"He will remember those games for the rest of his life."