SAINTS’ interim coach Sean Long lambasted the team’s poor execution and errors after they were beaten 40-18 by Warrington on Friday night.

 

They had led 14-0 but succumbed to 36 unanswered points in a horror show in the 20 minutes each side of the break.

Long said: "I thought we started off the game with real intent and got some points.

"We were really genuine with how we ran our plays and our completion was good.

"But then we compounded that good start with errors, poor skill, discipline and ruck speed which absolutely killed us. It let them back in the game.

"They were aggressive with their line defence but we knew they were going to do that.

"We went away from the game plan too but it was poor execution ultimately that cost us.

"You have to keep hold of the ball if you want to win a footy game. They didn't drop it in the second and third quarters but every time we got it we dropped it.

"We didn't earn the right to put on plays. Perhaps after scoring the early try we thought it would be easy.”

Half time looked like it had rescued Saints, but the run of errors continued within a minute of the restart.

"At half time we spoke about completion and earning the right to put plays on, but we came out and dropped the ball three times on our first five sets. Poor skill and execution cost us in the end," Long said.

Jon Wilkin felt a tight pull on his hamstring in the warm up and was replaced by Morgan Knowles – who drew praise from Long.

He said: "Morgan was a shining light for us tonight.

“He played well. It was a bit of upheaval as we had already lost two of our best players to England and then had to take Wilko out. He is a good leader and we lacked a little of that tonight.

"That said, they had six genuine first teamers out too and they wanted it more than us at times which is disappointing.

"I think we still had enough out there to win the game.

"We now have to dust ourselves down and get ready for the biggest game of the season.

“We all have to take ownership on this performance, the coaching staff and players, have a look at ourselves and try to come back and improve for Saturday.”