RUGBY LEAGUE: Sculthorpe leads way as Saints overpower Widnes

St Helens 40 Widnes 18

THE ST HELENS coach, Ian Millward, felt his side had beaten both Widnes and the conditions in their opening Engage Super League match last night.

New-look Widnes gave Saints plenty to think about in the mud and rain at Knowsley Road but the home side ultimately proved too strong as they ground out a 40-18 win.

Captain Paul Sculthorpe was Saints' driving force, landing six goals, and Jamie Lyon also had an impressing debut by creating two of the hosts' seven tries.

Millward said: "It was a fantastic effort. The conditions were there for all to see. I thought both teams played well in those conditions. We created opportunities but it was very heavy going out there. I'm pretty happy.

"It was always going to be a heavy night for centres out there but I thought Jamie Lyon had a pleasing debut." Kick-off had been delayed 10 minutes to allow all the 12,935 crowd into the ground and Millward added: "It was a great crowd for a night like that, a great sign for Super League."

Widnes' new coach Frank Endacott was pleased with his players' effort but accepts that a tough season could lie ahead. The former Wigan and New Zealand coach said: "I was disappointed with the result but not disappointed with the effort. I'm pleased with that but there is plenty to work on before the Bradford game next week."

St Helens: Wellens; Gardner, Lyon, Talau, Albert; Sculthorpe, Long; Fozzard, Higham, Anderson, Gilmour, Graham, Wilkin. Substitutes used: Cunningham, Edmondson, Bennett, Roby.

Widnes: Connolly; Emelio, Moule, Whittle, Rowlands; Craigie, Hulse; Whitaker, Millard, O'Neill, Cassidy, Stankevitch, Frame. Substututes used: Hughes, Finnigan, Smith, Fa-alogo.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)