St Helens suffer seismic double blow

We are at a fascinating point in the Super League season especially with Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity set to collide in fascinating games tonight.

But they would have to go some way to topple what was a match of the season contender last night as Super League and World Champions St Helens came up short against league leaders Catalans Dragons.

With the win Catalans were able to open up a six point gap on the Saints who remain third two points behind Leigh Leopards. The Saints have a game in hand on Catalans against Huddersfield due to their World Club Challenge commitments.

The defeat was a blow for their top two aspirations but was a blow in other respects too.

Either way Paul Wellens was proud after the game.

“I am really proud of my team’s effort. I think it was a red hot game between two teams who there is obviously not a lot between them,” he said on Sky Sports.

“Obviously a 14-12 scoreline, it was the same scoreline in the Grand Final a couple of years ago which shows that there isn’t a lot between the teams.

“My initial reaction is extremely proud of my players’ efforts.”

When asked about the race for the League Leaders’ Shield, he gave his thoughts.

“Perhaps so,” he said when it was suggested on Sky Sports that his side had missed their opportunity to close the gap.

“When you look at the Super League ladder. But there are more games to play and more opportunities to pick up points further down the track.

“Look, we’re never happy when we lose a game. That is the standards we set ourselves, so naturally we are disappointed.

“But we are not disappointed that we went down and we went down fighting and fighting our way.”

During the game, Saints lost James Roby and Mark Percival to head injuries which rules them out of the Challenge Cup semi-final.

In a cruel twist of fate, any other year before the move to 11 days, the two could have played.

Wellens gave his thoughts: “They’re obviously two very important and influential players to us and have been for a long time.

“They have both been important to the success we have had. However, rugby league is here to test you and we will have a group of players next week who will go to Warrington next week with a big prize at stake and they will give everything they have got.”

Asked about the semi-final, he said:

“I think with big games there is a multitude of big things that can go wrong. It is important to deal with the pressure of playing in a big game.”