1. TWO years ago Danny Richardson kicked the golden point penalty goal from 30 metres to defeat Wigan and win the Academy Grand Final. It is good to see he has not lost his touch. After a pulsating encounter, in which Saints had fought back twice to level but never lead, it turned into a shoot out.

Wire badly fluffed their three attempts to drop a goal, whilst Richardson was too far out for his first and was unlucky with his second.

With play in Saints half it seemed likely that the game would end with a draw until Ben Murdoch-Masila went high on Luke Thompson at the death. 55 metres out seemed too far – though not as far as Len Killeen’s 65 yarder at Wembley 66.

The chatter around suggested go for touch and set up the one-pointer from closer range, but instead the two fingers went up. It looked like it would just be a hit and hope.

Oh we of little faith….

That takes some doing – so take a bow Danny Richardson, you deserved that celebration and the plaudits at the end.

2. Given how exciting that finale was, would a draw have sent anyone away happy?

Ian Millward used to have a saying that a draw “was like kissing your sister”.

Which begs the question, should we go down the Australian route of abolishing draws and going down to golden point?

3. With Saints so many points clear and a big semi-final the week after, some may have thought that they may have adopted a low-key approach to that game.

They could not have asked for a higher intensity, physically demanding and nerve-jangling match to get them up to the mark for knockout football. As a game, for the second week running, there were only three tries but it showed that it does not have to be free-scoring to be entertaining.

4. Warrington’s pack provided a formidable test for Saints on Thursday, particularly in that first 30 - but one player in the red vee who rose to the challenge in the thick of it was Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

He brought enthusiasm, vim and vigour to Saints’ play and was always doing those little one per centers, like pressurising the kickers.

I reckon he has even got a few touches of Roy Haggerty about him too. The Londoner is another player who has improved hugely this year.

5. So now we know who and where Saints will be playing in the 8s.

They will be pleased to facing Wigan at home for the gate and not having to trek over to Hull, but the trip to Catalans is a potential pain, depending where it falls on the calendar.

We will find out on Wednesday.

As things stand, Saints could actually have the League Leaders Shield won with two wins in the 8s, three would make it certain so it will possibly give Justin Holbrook options – even though he has shown no sign of wanting to stand people down unnecessarily yet.

6. Of course it is all eyes on the Challenge Cup – and it has been a long time between drinks.

For a team that was in the final with such regularity – 1996, 97, 2001, 012, 04, 06, 07, 08 the past nine years have been the longest Saints have waited post war. Sunday is a huge game – and one that has become tougher since the draw was made eight weeks ago.

Hopefully the two big tests Saints have faced in the past couple of weeks has helped bring those players up to the mark.