SAINTS Acting Head Coach Mike Rush pointed to opportunities lost as his side bowed out of the Challenge Cup to Wigan.
Paul Wellens had given them an early lead but the Warriors bounced back to book their passage to the semi finals.
“I didn’t think we were on the ball offensively but defensively we were pretty good as were both teams,” he said. “Wigan struggled to make yards out of their half and we made it difficult for them to kick. It must have looked good for the cameras to have both teams going for it.
“But the Finch try just killed us. We have seen that play a million times this season. It happened at Warrington, Hull KR and we jumped in. That’s what you get with young players, when they’re under pressure and it’s the way it goes.”
He continued: “The last play options weren’t great but they weren’t a big influence on the game. I don’t mind them running the ball; ideally you want a repeat set, but you have to give the players the chance to come up with plays they think will work.
“But offensively we weren’t the smartest and you aren’t going to beat a great competitive team like that. Look at Tommy Makinson’s break. Of course Wigan’s job is to slow it down and we have been sinbinned for that this season, but you have to finish those breaks – like the Paul Wellens’ break – to beat a team like Wigan.”
