SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham was disappointed with his team's 30-16 Karalius Cup defeat by Widnes Vikings.

The team's ball control was poor, with a few dropped balls and some soft play handing Vikings the initiative.

Defensively there were a few concerns at the ease at which Kevin Brown was able to orchestrate the opening up of both sides of the field.

Cunningham said: "I've always said trial games aren't about the result but about you do out there on the field.

"So I am really disappointed tonight. I'm not upset with the result but the way we went about and did things. I thought we went about things a little soft at times.

"We started really well and played with a little bit of freedom. But after seeing that we seemed to decide we were on the training field and we started playing touch footy.

"It hurts you because you cannot play rugby league like that as it goes against what rugby league was invented for. It is a tough, simple game and is all about winning the energy battle - and we didn't do that.

"Widnes looked a game ahead of us, which they were, and unfortunately we decided to chase the game in the wrong manner.

"That is what trial games are for I suppose and we have a lot of learning to do from it, but I am not concerned."

His plans for the day were disrupted somewhat with Travis Burns leaving the field with concussion midway through the first half and Luke Walsh rolling his ankle just before half time.

Cunningham did take the opportunity to experiment with players in certain positions, with Morgan Knowles jumping in at nine for James Roby after the break and Jordan Turner moved into the stand off role.

Cunningham added: "We tried some different combinations because I haven't decided on the final side. Before the game I said to the boys make it difficult for me to pick my side for round one well a few of the boys have made it quite easy for me.

"I thought Morgan Knowles - and he does not look like an 18/19 year-old kid.

"He was leading the line up in defence, even with some senior boys on there, and definitely has a big career ahead of him.

"I am just trying a few different combinations as to who is going to rest Robes. Theo Fages has played a bit in the halves and can play nine, but I thought Morgs did well.

"I wanted Theo to play with Walshy, but Walshy rolled his ankle a little bit so we did not want to risk it in the second half so ended up coming back out with two new halves.

"But it gave us a chance to see Jordan Turner at six again and I thought he went well there organising us, as did Theo.

"The combinations were good, I was happy with the halves. I have still not made my mind up on who the starting halves are going to be

"Some of our middle men were poor though. We had it the wrong way round, the cart was in front of the horse, trying to play football when we didn't deserve to and had not earned the right. It hurt us and we put the ball down."