KEIRON Cunningham explained what the team wanted to get from Friday night’s Challenge Cup win over York, in conversation with the Star’s Mike Critchley.

MC: Comfortably through on on Friday. Happy with that?

KC: It was a good chance to rest some players who need a break and have a look at some juniors who have been going well in the 19s.

I wanted to rest a few more but they were adamant, off the back of their worst game in a while against Catalans, that they wanted to play and right a few wrongs.

They got out there for a good spell, but I let some of the younger kids play the big minutes.

MC: The team played against York as if they were tackling Super League opposition was that the strategy?

KC: Yes, it was always the plan to approach it that way.

The game was about us. I did not what to go in there with the mentality that disrespected York and think we were going to win and therefore could simply throw the ball about.

I wanted them to be hard-nosed and our kicking game to be good.

We got the most repeat sets that we had all year and scored three tries off kicks.

That was good because that is where we are aiming to go.

It also gave Wilko and Burnsy chance to play with each other because that will be the half back pairing for the next four or five weeks.

MC: Were you happy with the two debutants Morgan Knowles and Olly Davies?

KC: Morgan was brilliant - but anyone who has watched 19s will vouch that he is one of the best players in that competition. He is an outstanding talent. It is his work ethic that I like.

I genuinely believe that skill and ability, anyone can have, but for someone to have that strong work ethic as well is where you see that real strength.

He has been like that since day one as a kid.

He is the same age as my son and played in the same team with him, coming all the way from Cumbria to play at Blackbrook.

His parents kept driving him here from Cumbria, that is a real family commitment and he is giving them their just rewards with his efforts, attitude and professionalism.

That kid will go a long way.

MC: This spell between the cup rounds is quite crucial for the league table?

KC: We have got a big month coming up. It is exciting but we have got to keep digging our heels in and try and scrape as many points at the minute.

The further we get along in the competition and then the more bodies we will get back. If we can get the odd point here and there we will not be in a bad spot for the Super 8s.

MC: Are you happy with the cup draw?

KC: On one hand it is a home draw, which you are always grateful of but on the other because it is a local derby that can go any way.

Widnes are in good form.

Kevin Brown is exceptional and leading them around the field well and they are taking some big scalps.

It will definitely be an interesting tie, but it is tough because it is so far down the track.

Six weeks in rugby league is an eternity and we have to get our players through that before thinking about that.

It will be tough for both teams.