SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook was pleased to see his side rally from a 12-point half time deficit to win “a weird game” 27-22 to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Early tries from Theo Fages and Jonny Lomax maybe lulled Saints into a false sense of security.

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But a Leeds purple patch – assisted by some sloppy ball control from Saints – saw the visitors rattle in 22 unanswered points through scores from Kallum Watkins, Konrad Hurrell, Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki.

Half time allowed Saints to regroup, with front rowers Alex Walmsley, two, and Luke Thompson tipping the game back their way.

Coach Holbrook said: “It was a typical Saints Leeds game wasn’t it? Something we have become used to over the last couple of years.

“I am just happy to win that. Obviously we have started really well and looked in control and then gave a couple of opportunities to Leeds and they are such a dangerous side. They showed that and put on 22 points by half-time.

“We needed half-time, luckily and we sort of re-grouped and I was really happy with the second half effort to keep them scoreless and defend our line the way we did. To come up with enough hard running, I guess, to get over the line without being great with the ball tonight. I am just happy to win that game.”

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He was delighted with Walmsley’s double and his general play as he continues to find his feet after a lengthy lay-off.

“Alex’s performance was massive. It is great to have him back. I said last year we had a fairly good season and to not have him since Round five was a big blow to us so to have him back.

“Just seeing how hard he works and even last year when we thought we were going to get him back, he was training so hard and doing everything he could to get on the field.

“So it was so good to see him get out there and come good again after the long road he has had. He has played a massive part in us winning that game tonight,” Holbrook said.

“Big Al and Luke Thompson’s hard running was probably the difference. I thought Matty Lees did really well for us and James Roby was good too. I thought a couple of the big boys really stood up on a night which was a weird game and I was just happy to win it.”

The victory made it three wins out of three – pleasing as there is still plenty of improvement in this team.

Holbrook added: “Obviously I am happy we have won our three games so far.

“Having a week off last week after just two games is never good. I always worry about that, but in the end we got out and started well tonight. I was happy with our start and happy to win a different way tonight.

“We were in a position there where we could have been in a lot of trouble and not found a way to come back and to do that tonight shows a lot of character in the side so early in the season which I am really pleased about.”

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Saints did have to shuffle the team around after losing centre Kevin Naiqama in the first minute, leaving prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to move out wide where he was given a torrid time by Hurrell in the first half.

Holbrook said: “Louie was dancing around in the centres not sure what was going on.

“I thought Kevin got a poke in the eye, but I think he caught Luke Thompson’s elbow on the replay so I think he got the double whammy.

“Whenever you lose an outside back early it throws you out of sorts and it effects your whole edge and lucky enough Louie is versatile although not really thrilled about it but it is not ideal losing someone a minute into the game.

“We shuffled everyone around and got it done.”

As for the second half, Holbrook was pleased with his side’s response.

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“We needed half time we were in all sorts of trouble and we needed to calm ourselves down at the start and give them a few home truths to work out what we had to do in second half and credit to them, they did that.

“We were in a tough spot there at half-time so I was really happy with the second half effort to come back and win,” he said.