KEIRON Cunningham couldn’t have been prouder of his Saints after they defeated their nearest rivals 30-14 on Friday night.
It was a dominant performance and sent them back to the top of the First Utility Super League table.
“The effort and passion from them didn’t surprise me at all,” he said. “I’ve been saying for a few weeks that we have been building into something really good and you can see we have got so much belief and faith in each other.
“I thought for 60 minutes we were the best side. Wigan came out and threw a lot at us – we threw the ball on the floor and they went the full length. If we didn’t do that then we take control I’m sure.
“In the second half we were outstanding and ruthless – and that is against the best side in the comp on current form. It was a good yardstick to see where we are. We have been chipping away at the points, growing in belief and we came of age tonight.
“We have been through a lot of adversity in the last four years – but I have ultimate faith in the squad that whoever comes in will do a great job.
“The forwards were outstanding and the way I rolled the subs helped that. Mose, Al, Amor – all did big minutes to give us some more venom towards the back end of the game. They were desperate to get on the field.
“Mose’s chase back on Sarginson… that proved vital in the end but cost me a sub. He was sucking babies out of the grandstand after that!”
He continued: “I thought Wilko was a champion tonight – he led from the front on both sides of the ball. The juniors, Mark Percival, Greg Richards and Andre Savelio never stopped. The middle was excellent.
“James Roby… I thought I was a pretty decent nine but I never came close to this kid. There is nothing like him in the competition. What he does and gets through we probably take for granted. He did that when he was a kid and won awards… now it is expected… he is a machine and easily one of the best players in the comp.
“We have a few bumps and bruises from the game but we have a short turnaround so will see where we are and recover. Some of the boys played with grumbly bits of flu and illness too.
“Overall, we’re delighted with the win. With games like this you feel like you deserve more than two points but in reality that is all it is.
“It was a proud occasion for all the players, we have been building to this and this is the fruits of their labour.”
