1. The teamsheet provoked a but of a stir an hour before kick off on Friday, and the early loss of Theo Fages meant it was a much changed Saints team that competed in the last hour than the one that had won their first seven games.

It was a rollercoaster of a game, which Saints lead 16-0 and then trailed before finally making it eight on the spin.

In the long run, the experience will have done the team the power of good.

Some fans had been crying out for the coach to make changes; rotation was the buzzword at the end of last season with the coach being implored to make changes.

So far this year Justin Holbrook has stuck with the strategy of sticking with the best 19, unless there is a niggle.

Yet some of the first reactions on Friday - and even more so when Saints were trailing - questioned those changes.

It was later revealed that Mark Percival was sick and both Zeb Taia and Alex Walmsley were on paternity duties, with James Roby rested for the second time with niggles.

In his place Aaron Smith filled in well again - grabbing a crucial try in the second half when the gap opened up at dummy half.

The changes were enforced - but it did underline the balancing act facing coaches when it comes to keeping the squad fresh, blooding younger squad members while maintaining a winning run.

2. It was a tough gig for 18-year-old Jack Welsby - slotting in at centre at the last minute, where he scored a try and then was shunted to stand off to replace Theo Fages.

When Fages went off, Jonny Lomax, Lachlan Coote and then Joseph Paulo took their hands at steering the ship which meant Welsby did not really get chance to jump out as a half. But he was solid enough and did nothing wrong in what was a challenging night.

3. Although not a youngster, one player who did take his opportunity with both hands was prop Kyle Amor.

From his first strong carry since coming off the bench, the Cumbrian showed he meant business and he produced his best game in the red vee for a good while.

He was rewarded with a try - and his response to being left out the week before will have delighted coach Holbrook.

Saints are pretty well blessed with front rowers at the moment, and Amor's display shows that they are all on their toes.

Big win for Saints 19s - report

4. We will find out later this week how bad Theo Fages' hip injury is, but if he does miss the trip to Catalans on Saturday you would think that Danny Richardson gets a shot at seven.

Richardson missed the Leigh game at the weekend, to avoid being cup-tied, but had produced two man of the match performances in March to show a good response.

If Fages is out, and if Richardson gets a shot, he has a glorious opportunity to make sure Holbrook has a headache despite the substantial credits Frenchman has built up so far this year.

Disciplinary update

5. Saints hit a run of massive games now - with Catalans away, Warrington at home followed by the Wigan and Hull double header.

They are all huge physical games.

The Catalans clash is always a tough one to call - and their dire performance at Wigan at the weekend underlines the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Dragons.

Saints, especially after last year's semi, know what Catalans can do and the rocket they had from Steve McNamara will have them back up to the mark.

6. And finally, it was fantastic too see a big crowd up at Close Street cheer Thatto Heath into the next round of the Challenge Cup with their toppling of North Wales Crusaders.

The amateur or community game has taken some knocks over the years, but Thatto are a fantastic role model with their 'one club' approach.

Performance wise they have players who could clearly - as was proved - cut it at the pro ranks and they were always in control of that game.

But ultimately the game was won by their sheer gutsy determination to defend their try line at the end, with two or three players held up on the line.

That was real spirit - and the whole occasion was a credit to the club.