LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
St Helens coach Paul Wellens expressed his frustration with his team's performance in their 24-14 loss to local rivals Wigan Warriors, attributing the defeat to "basic errors." Despite a late comeback that brought the score to 18-14, Wellens lamented the mistakes that cost his side a potential derby victory.
The first-half display, which saw Wigan take a 12-2 lead, was particularly disappointing for Wellens, who highlighted the numerous knock-ons that gifted their opponents scoring opportunities.
Wellens acknowledged that his team's lack of concentration in key moments has been a recurring issue, causing them to come up short in important games.
The late knock-on by Tristan Sailor, which led to Wigan sealing the win, was emblematic of the missed opportunities that plagued St Helens throughout the match.
Wellens acknowledged the talent and skill of Wigan but emphasized that it was his team's own errors that ultimately proved costly.
Despite the spirited fightback in the second half, Wellens was left frustrated by the inability of his players to execute the basics effectively, resulting in a missed opportunity to secure a significant victory over their rivals.
The loss left Saints fans disappointed and contemplating what could have been if not for the critical mistakes that marred their performance.
Wellens' candid assessment of the match reflects his disappointment with his team's inability to capitalize on scoring chances and limit errors, ultimately leading to a frustrating defeat in a high-stakes derby encounter.