THERE was a special moment at the end of the game at Wembley when Saints players ran over to share their jubilation with the fans.

It is something they have waited a long time to do – with it being 13 years since the last one at Wembley.

But it was also a thank you for their commitment and support this past 18 months – having been unable to share their Grand Final win with them at Hull last year.

The appreciation was mutual – something coach Kristian Woolf picked up on at the end of the game.

Woolf said: “It was a great moment to be involved with – the team are an exceptional group of men and they just keep turning up and finding ways to win when they are asked, and they can do it pretty at the same time.

“I get the impression that the town is so proud of them – and they should be as well.

“The way they keep turning up and putting their bodies on the line is exactly what you want from your footy team.

“And that pride is certainly what I saw on the faces of the people when we went over at the end of the game.”

It was the first time experience players like Alex Walmsley, Jonny Lomax, LMS, Tommy Makinson and Kyle Amor have tasted success at Wembley.

And it was also a first visit by coach Woolf, who was impressed by the setting, stadium and atmosphere of this great rugby league occasion.

St Helens Star:

"Coming out of the tunnel at the start of the game and the noise of the crowd made it felt like it was full and it was a great atmosphere.

“Being able to walk around and listen to the songs that people were singing and look on their faces – that is what our players really enjoy and what they put the show on for.

“The stadium – and the noise our fans make – certainly adds to the occasion,” he said.