Woolf on Leigh performance, Welsby at full back; Percival and Hurrell updates

The game, Saints’ only pre-season game, doubled as Alex Walmsley’s testimonial game and the big man brought the curtain down with a crowd-pleasing conversion.

Relegated Leigh gave Saints a test, limiting them to one first try to Tommy Makinson.

Scores from Josh Simm and new boy James Bell made sure that the Centurions, who replied through Joe Wardle, were kept at bay.

Woolf said: “We got what we wanted from the game; we sought to give our main blokes 30-40 minutes.

“It was the first opportunity for full contact and intensity.

“It’s still the middle of pre-season and there’s still three weeks until we play.

“We’ve done a fair bit of running this week and the blokes had a bit of fatigue in them.

“The next couple of weeks we’ll keep working them hard and will freshen them up for round one.

“We did some things really well and Leigh came with a good intensity and that made it perfect for our preparation.”

Saints started with Jack Welsby at full back before switching Will Hopoate there in the second half.

Woolf confirmed that Welsby has the role for the year ahead and was content with the way he took to the job.

“Jack is going to be full back; he’s earned the right through his performances last year and the way he’s approached pre-season.

“I thought he looked …at the back and did a really good job.

“He’s only going to get better with every game there - like he has in every position he’s played there.

“That is what he’ll do this year - and certainly the way we start,” he said.

As the game wore on Saints made full use of their whole squad, drafting in several of the youngsters.

But they held up well, with some eye catching performances in a brief time on the field.

Wing Jon Bennison’s quick feet will certainly trouble some defences in years to come.

Woolf was particularly happy with the side’s defensive resolve and willingness to scramble on the occasions that Leigh pierced the line.

“I was happy with the young guys, especially as some of those are in the academy and have only had a couple of training sessions with us,” he said.

“The most pleasing aspect was the way they scrambled when Leigh had opportunities- in a game that there was not a lot riding on result wise.

“They showed a real desperation and desire to scramble and clean up and not let Leigh find points.

“Our senior blokes did they, but so too did our kids.

“They played with a real energy, confidence and defended physically.”

Woolf explained that Mark Percival sat it out after getting a knock in training.

“He wanted to play and could have, but we thought it would disrupt his training for the next couple of weeks, ahead of the start, if he’d taken another knock on it.

“We wanted to make sure he’s on the field with us on Monday and for every trading session until the season starts” he said.

All players - apart from Regan Grace - will be fit and available for the Super League start on 10 February.

Konrad Hurrell picked up a knock when trying to tackle Wardle, but Woolf explained he seemed okay afterwards.

“He put himself in a bad position and had a bit of an awkward fall.

“He was fine when he came off so I can’t see there being any dramas,” he said.