SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham got what he wanted from his side's first hit-out of the pre-season.

Although his side saw off plucky championship outfit Dewsbury 38-18, Cunningham said the game was never going to be about the result.

He was particularly pleased with the way his new boys quickly integrated into the side.

He said: "We were a little rusty, but we were always going to be for our first game. Dewsbury are a good side and are well coached.

"Glenn Morrison has strengthened well and has good players in his side. It is a good building block for next week's game.

"It was good to look at the combinations and the stuff we had put into pre-season. We can watch it back now and reinforce those messages in our review sessions.

"I said to the team that I wasn't concerned with the result. Friendly games aren't about that but putting into practice what we have done for the previous two or three months."

Debutant Theo Fages came off the bench and scored a try in his first outing, while prop Lama Tasi found his feet starting at prop.

"We have worked hard and have a lot of personnel in the squad. A lot had good touches and looked like they had been here for a few years. They all had highlights.

"Theo (Fages) is a real talent. He is a special player in the making. He has a lot of learning to do but I'd like to think at this club he can only get better.

"Jack Owens was great. He hasn't played since last summer and looked at home. We threw him on the wing too and he put Mark Percival through for a try. He is a good acquisition for us.

"Lama (Tasi) did a good job too. He is still understanding his role at the club and how he fits in and I thought Dom (Dominique Peyroux) did well too. He looked comfortable defensively," Cunningham said.

But it was not just about the new signings - a lot of the 25 man squad used were youngsters who have been nurtured through the academy.

Welsh wing Calvin Wellington looked delighted to mark his senior debut with a try.

"We got a good look at the younger players," he said.

"They have trained their socks off in bad conditions - and gone through a lot of pain. There isn't many you would say cannot play Super League. They are good players.

"We have stability across the board with what we have recruited but I know there will be disappointed players. I will have to tap a few on the shoulder even through they have trained hard. I haven't decided on my round one team.

"We'll look for improvement on this next week."

The game could only go ahead - belatedly - after fans had joined volunteers from the club to clear the snow from the pitch.

Cunningham paid tribute to those supporters who pitched in.

"This game was a real testament to those fans.

"It was the best turnout we've had for an appeal like this. We probably could have got the game on for 3pm because so many people turned out. That's the St Helens community for you - they wanted this game as much as the players.

"It was good to see many people come out, watch us and it was good for us to get out on the field. I'm sure the fans enjoyed getting back into their routines too," he said.