SAINTS overcame an error strewn start against neighbours Widnes to end up comfortable victors.

Coach Justin Holbrook was happy with the performance, which lifted Saints to sixth.

 He said: “For the majority of the game it was really good. The first 25 minutes really tested us because we put ourselves under pressure.

"They are a dangerous attacking team and we turned them away and did well not to be behind.

“Then, we got a few chances and when we did I was really happy with our attack.

“If we learn to play for 80 minutes we will be a lot better. The fact we put ourselves under pressure and then came up and executed the way we did was good.

“I thought our bench were the pick for us. The starting guys held their own and then Luke Thompson, Morgan Knowles and Luke Douglas were really strong for us.

“I thought Matty Smith organised the team really well too. Regan Grace is getting a combination out there with Mark Percival – he got a couple of chances and turned them into points.”

He explained how he made the decision to leave out Adam Swift, slotting Jonny Lomax back at full back and moving Tommy Makinson to wing.

Lomax was impressive, at his creative best from the back and combining with both edges to set up tries.

Holbrook added: “I said earlier in the week that whoever missed out it wouldn’t be through poor form.

"It would be through us being healthy. Adam Swift took it well and that made it good for the team.

"Jonny, Regan and Tommy played well tonight – we are fortunate there with the quality we have in the outside backs.

"It is great to see those exciting youngsters do what they do, we got a couple of chances and turned them into points.

" I was disappointed last week at Castleford but it was pleasing for myself and the players is the things we worked on happened for us tonight at times.

"We have a lot of improvement in us but with a performance like that it is really encouraging.

"There was character from us. The improving area is to be a bit smarter and that can be simple things like controlling the ball in contact.

"We were not making errors trying to play footy, we were doing them, similar to last week, those are the parts that can be fixed. If we can get that out of our game we can contunue to improve as the year goes on."

Holbrook explained that Tommy Lee and James Roby were ill, meaning that Danny Richardson was drafted into the 17.

"Roby was outstanding despite that because it looked we were going to be missing two hookers there.

"We gave Danny 10 minutes at the end, but it was good for him to be a part of it.

"He has been good in training but not been able to play many games," he said.