Cunningham pleased with promising signs

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham says the resilience and defensive spirit his team showed in their victory over Widnes bodes well for the rest of the season.

Saints prevailed 20-12 over the Vikings at the Select Security Stadium.

“I thought the energy to start the game was actually, probably a bit better than the Wigan game,” Cunningham told Sky.

“We came with a good bit of resilience about us and the pleasing thing for me was both defensive edges were really stable, our middles working really hard.

“It was good to get to the scoreline we did and then we defended that scoreline, which is a promising signs for the team.”

Cunningham said St Helens‘ ball control was vital.

“I thought that was the difference between the two teams, we completed a little bit better than Widnes in that first half,” he said.

“We managed to score some points and Widnes really challenged us in the second half. We were hanging on for dear life at the end but all credit to the players that hung in there.”

Saints next face Hull FC on Friday.

“We’re all in the same boat, we’re all hurting from Friday,” he said.