Saints scalp helps to heal Radford’s derby pain

The Airlie Birds bounced back from Thursday’s derby defeat to Hull KR to snatch a late 28-20 win, condemning their hosts to a third consecutive defeat in the process.

Radford said: “I am really pleased for the group, the team and the owner. It has been a really difficult camp from Thursday’s result and the manner of the defeat. On the back of that disappointment, to pull ourselves off the canvas like we did, was impressive. If we had been smarter today, though, it could have been easier but fatigue plays a massive part in this Easter Monday fixture.

“It is a little bit of a war of attrition and it tends to be the team that wants it most that takes the spoils and that was the case today in our favour.”

A long-distance Jamie Shaul try was enough to seal a win that shocked the home side, who appeared to be hanging on after their Good Friday exertions.

Injuries meant that Saints boss Keiron Cunningham selected two teenagers in the three-quarters, but he believed it was some of the senior players that had let the side down.

Cunningham said: “I still feel the squad of players we have is more than adequate to win games.

“They gave a really good showing at Wigan on Friday, but I am deeply disappointed with a few individuals in the side today.

“I thought a lot of people really busted their bodies and tried their best out there. But there were a few individuals out there who can count themselves very lucky that we have a few injuries.

“We looked a tired side. But I still believe despite the halves and back rowers we had missing we still had enough to win that game.”

St Helens: Makinson, Bailey, Dawson, Ashworth, Swift, Turner, Hohaia, Amor, Roby, Masoe, Jones, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Savelio. Substitutes: Walmsley, Flanagan, Thompson, Richards.

Hull: Shaul, Lineham, Michaels, Talanoa, Naughton, Pryce, Rankin, Paea, Howarth, Bowden, Hadley, Minichiello, Westerman.Substitutes: Houghton, Paleaaesina, Thompson, Cunningham.

Referee: R Hicks (RFL).