CHAMPIONS Saints were given one last fitness flogging to sign off 2014, with a gruelling two-hour plus hill session up at the Dream in Sutton Manor.

Supervised by strength and conditioning coach Matty Daniels - the session comprised a series of repeat hill runs around the landmark combined with sessions trudging through mud and deep gulleys on top of the old colliery site.

The purpose of the exercise - Saints’ last of the year before breaking up for Christmas - was to build core fitness levels for the gruelling year ahead and comes hot on the heels of the previous arduous session on the Formby sand dunes.

And secondly, there was a team building element to the tough morning’s schedule with senior players charged with leading the under 19s group through.

Overseas contingent Mose Masoe, Lance Hohaia and Atelea Vea have been home for a short Christmas break before the battle begins in earnest and missed the Dream session.

Meanwhile, Saints have reported as fantastic response to ticket sales for the World Club Challenge game against South Sydney Rabbitohs at Langtree Park on Sunday, 22 February.

The club have revealed that almost 10,000 tickets have been sold for the mouth-watering clash which pits the champions of Super League against the NRL premiers.