JUSTIN Holbrook was impressed with Saints' crisp handling and execution of attacking play in their opening pre-season friendly.

Saints defeated Sheffield Eagles 64-6 with new signing James Bentley registering a hat-trick.

Holbrook told the Star: “I was very happy with the performance and impressed with everyone who played.

"For our first friendly of the year it went well and was a really good hit out.

“There were some really good signs out there. A few times we failed at the last pass but the boys showed some crisp hands on a lot of the plays which was good to see.

"We obviously defended really well too."

Asked of Bentley's performance, Holbrook said: “I thought James went well and looked dangerous

“He played solidly. He's been training hard so it was good for him and his team-mates to get a good hit out.

“I though the the junior players went well too and I was particularly impressed with Kev Brown at full back.

"For seven or eight of them to get a run at this level against men was good."

In James Roby's absence, Matty Smith started at hooker, with Danny Richardson and Theo Fages in the halves.

Holbrook added: "I thought Matty did well at nine as did Theo, I think we had four different number nine combinations and all went well.

“We’ll bring the senior boys back to the field for our last hit out before round one.

"There’s around 12 or 13 that will feature in that game and we are looking forward to it.”

Saints take on Leigh on Friday, January 26 at the Totally Wicked Stadium (8pm).

Their first Betfred Super League game of the 2018 season coming a week later at home to Castleford on Friday February 2 (7.45pm).