SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook was pleased to see his side get the 26-12 win over Huddersfield – but admitted that they had been off with the ball.

They had to do a mountain of tackling – and at one stage in the first had to defend six consecutive sets on their line.

But they kept battling and went in at the break despite having done it tough and had their third win on the spin in the bag.

“I am really proud of the boys to get a win here tonight,” he said. “It is a tough place to play and Huddersfield make and a tough game to play against.

“They tested us early and it felt like for 20 minutes they had the ball on our line. We kept them out and that is why I am proud of the boys.

“I thought we were poor with the ball we tried to force our hand a bit because of the lack of possession we tried to score points straight away and that made it hard for us.

"Huddersfield made it hard for us to do that and in the second half we defended well, then scored a couple and then struggled again.

“But to defend the way we did in the first half and lead at half time I couldn’t be happier because of the way that half had gone with the lack of ball. I am pleased with the win."

Of the players that stood out, Holbrook looked to the pack.

He said: “I thought Luke Thompson stuck out – after all that tackling he still stuck his hand up for carries. Zeb Taia played 80 minutes and contributed with a Dom Peyroux played big minutes too. They both dug really deep for us.”

Both Saints and Giants had had the week off last week while the World Club Challenge took place, with the bottom four getting their round sheduled for cup weekend out of the way.

And there were signs of ring-rust.

Holbrook added: “It is hard for both sides to have a week off so early in the season and I think it showed a little. It is hard to get in a routine when that happens. Every game is different though.

“In round one we were outstanding in attack. Round two was more defence and tonight was probably a mixture of the two. We had to come up with some tries when we needed to. Every game is different but it is important to win them.

“We have started well and we want to continue to do that as well as keep getting better as a side.”