Rush rues costly offside decision after Wolves defeat (From St Helens Star)

Rush rues costly offside decision after Wolves defeat

9:53am Sunday 30th September 2012 in Sport

SAINTS coach Mike Rush was disappointed to see his side bow out with the semi-final defeat by Warrington after letting the game creep away from them after the break.

Rush, in charge for the last time before handing the reins over to new boss Nathan Brown, saw his side in command for the best part of the first half.

However, Wolves got a toe-hold back in the game just before half time and then they slowly began to build a momentum that Saints found hard to stop.

However, Rush singled out a potential game changer just after the Wolves had taken an 18-14 lead when Saints were whistled for offside during an intense period of aggressive defence.

Rush said: “We were really pleased with our first half performance and I thought we were a little unlucky to concede just before the hooter.

"In the second half we were a little slow to start, then we had a fantastic set with five quick play the balls - exactly how we wanted to play.

"We got the ball into the corner and were then penalised for getting off our line. They were offside every play the ball we had in that set but we got penalised.”

Warrington’s Trent Waterhouse scored the killer try from that next play and then there was no way back for the Saints.

"Take nothing away from Warrington though, they were fantastic in that second half. Trent Waterhouse was the best I have seen him, Brett Hodgson, Lee Briers and Richie Myler all did what they do best. But I was really disappointed with that spell because we didn't get what we deserved,” Rush said.

"Once you lose momentum in a Semi Final against a good team it is hard to wrestle it back. We tried to get our three big men on the field to get it back and give Sia Soliola a little rest, but by the time he came back on it was gone.

"I suppose if you would have asked me I would have took 40 minutes away from a Grand Final when we took over."

Defeat means Saints have not made the Grand Final for the first time since 2005.