SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham praised the ruthlessness of his side after watching them see off Wigan to climb to the top of the Super League pile.

Classed as slight underdogs going into the top three clash on account of their injury list, Saints produced a dominant display in which they forced and cashed in on errors from the Warriors.

Cunningham said: "The effort and passion from them didn't surprise me at all.

"I've been saying to the players for a few weeks that we have been building into something really good and you can see we have got so much belief and faith in each other.

"I thought for 60 minutes of the game we were the best side.

" Wigan came out and threw a lot at us - we threw a ball on the floor and they went the full length before half time.

" If we didn't do that then we take control a bit earlier I'm sure.

"In the second half we were outstanding and ruthless - and you have got to bear in mind that is against currently the best side in the competition on form.

It was a really good challenge, a good yardstick to see where we are as a team. We have been chipping away at the points in the last few weeks, growing that belief among ourselves and we really came of age tonight."

Saints came into the game with a long casualty list, but they came to play and took the game to the Warriors.

He added: "We have been through a lot of adversity in the last four years - but I have ultimate faith in the squad that whoever comes in will do a great job.

"The forwards were outstanding and the way I rolled my subs helped that. I tried to play Mose, Al, Amor big minutes in the first half to give us some more venom towards the back end of the game. I could keep rolling them. They were desperate to get on the field because they are all in good form and really enjoying their place in the sunshine. You can't fabricate that togetherness.

"I am really pleased for the team."

"Mose's chase back on Sarginson... that proved vital in the end but cost me a sub. He was sucking babies out of the grandstand after that!"

He continued: "I thought Wilko was a champion tonight - he led from the front on both sides of the ball. The juniors, Mark Percival, Greg Richards and Andre Savelio never stopped. The middle was excellent against a very strong Wigan team."

James Roby had a fine game, playing despite the hand injury that saw him come off last week.

Cunningham was gushing in his praise for his one time understudy.

"thought I was a pretty decent nine but I never came close to this kid.

"There is nothing like him in the competition.

"What he does and gets through we probably take for granted.

"He did that when he was a kid and won awards' now it is expected. He is a machine and easily one of the best players in the comp.

"We have a few bumps and bruises from the game but we have a short turnaround so will see where we are and recover.

"Some of the boys played with grumbly bits of flu and illness too.

"Overall, we're delighted with the win. With games like this you feel like you deserve more than two points but in reality that is all it is.

"It was a proud occasion for all the players, we have been building to this and this is the fruits of their labour."