AS the curtain comes down on the 2024 campaign Paul Wellens accepts that the season has been challenging for both him as head coach and the playing group as a whole.

He was speaking in the immediate aftermath of the nerve-jangling Golden Point defeat at Warrington that saw them eliminated from the play-offs.

He was still clearly raw from the rollercoaster ride of losing-winning-losing-drawing and then the final cruel ending.

But after a scratchy year, one derailed by injuries and bedevilled by poor form, they end on an honourable note - after arguably their best performance against a top four side since Good Friday.

It was nevertheless still a defeat, leaving the side with another tough lesson to digest and plenty to contemplate in the winter months.  

Wellens said: "We can't get away from it but, both for me personally and collectively as a team, it has been a really challenging 2024.

"I've found out things about myself that I never even knew, so I feel that we and myself will be better for the experience.

"However, the disappointment is still tough to take, but we've been challenged this year more so than we've ever been challenged.

"We've been criticised more so than we've ever been criticised and that's tough at times.

"But what we've shown tonight is who we are as a club., what we have as a club and there's a lot to be proud of there."

Wellens was particularly pleased to see the reaction of the fans at the end, who despite being equally devastated by manner of their defeat.

Wellens said: "I loved the way the supporters didn't leave at the end.

"They stayed, and obviously applauded Sione, Tommy and Lewis - those guys who are moving on and who have been incredible servants for the club.

"What you saw there tonight the real connection between the supporters and the playing group