AS a proud Lancastrian born and bred.. it is nice to see clubs from this side of the Pennines dominating affairs in the Betfred Super League.

Saints still sitting top of the table despite that disappointing defeat at Wakefield on Sunday, with Wigan second and fast-improving Warrington now third.

In last week’s column, I was right – and wrong! I warned that Trinity’s Mobile Rocket Stadium is a tough place to go and get a win…but also thought St Helens had enough in their locker to take the points.

Wakefield are in a false position in the bottom half of the table having lost five in a row before the Saints victory – but three of those defeats were by five points or less, showing they haven’t been too far off.

What is important now is how Saints respond to only the club’s second Betfred Super League defeat.

Take nothing away from Wakefield, but they looked like they wanted it more. You have carry the right attitude into EVERY game, not just a case of turning up, something we must change this Friday!

Next up at the TWS are second from bottom Huddersfield Giants, who remember not so long ago were the League Leader’s Shield winners and on their day, more than capable.

But this season they have put in some awful performances – and come into Friday’s game on the back of 30-12 home defeat against mid-table Salford Reds.

The inconsistent Giants will be desperate to turn their season around, and possibly see the challenge of a trip to league leaders Saints as a good time to do it...but I’m sure Justin & Co have other ideas!

It’s all hotting up at the top and while I will be watching Saints, who I predict will bounce back with a convincing win over Huddersfield by around 24pts (10/11 at Betfred) I will be keeping one eye on game of the week...Wigan who host fourth place Castleford Tigers.

Even though Wigan are at home, I’ve not been completely convinced by recent performances and do fancy a Castleford triumph here, certainly following their clinical 41-0 performance over the Catalan Dragons. Obviously, Wigan fans will disagree with me ...especially after the Warriors took a valuable win at Leeds on Friday with an outstanding Sam Tomkins drop goal to snatch it 9-8. Following a fairly scratchy game it was a timely response to a few Rhino’s fans jibes regarding a move to the South of France next season.

l Latest Betfred odds to win the Grand Final: Saints 7/4, Wigan 7/2, Castleford 9/2 with Warrington and Leeds at 6/1.