AGAINST all odds! That was the verdict of Saints' coach Shaun McRae on his team's smash-and-grab victory at London Broncos, which rocketed them back to top of the table.

WHITTLE: Real 'Boys' Own' stuff!' That was the consensus among the huge Saints' support which trekked back along the M1 after witnessing yet another fairy-tale ending in what many thought was the performance of the season. Agreed?

McRAE: Yes, but with slight reservations because, as at Oldham, we started well and then found the opposition back in contention by half-time, and although you have to give Broncos credit for fighting back I thought we could have delivered the killer punch with a little more luck and professionalism.

However, it must be remembered that Saints were disrupted by the loss of Chris Joynt, Paul Newlove and Alan Hunte,while the limping Apollo Perelini battled on, and in a game when everyone put their shoulder to the wheel I thought skipper Bobbie Goulding steadied the ship superbly and the consistent Karle Hammond was another big 'plus.'

But I was not happy with the lack of cover on occasion for Steve Prescott when Broncos used the Australian ploy of kick-and-chase ie 'the bomb,' and improvement in this area is obviously a matter of urgency, as is the need to strive for perfection in ball control.

I may surprise some fans in stating this but, despite being involved in a match in which 60 points were scored,I was quite pleased with Saints' defence because, given today's 10-metre rule and lightning-fast play-the-ball, a try invariably results when a clean break is made.

Overall a triumph of grit and determination by Saints in which they scored six tries against four, and I have to say that I disagreed with London coach Tony Currie when he said that Terry Matterson should not have been penalised before Perelini's winner. What that try did prove, along with Scott Roskell's for Broncos, was the value of the 'screen,' which was correct on both counts.

WHITTLE: With last week-end something of a 'hard slog' have you eased up a little at training over the past few days? McRAE: The London trip involved a five-hour drive on Friday, followed by a 'loosener' on a local pitch; a bruising, physical 80 minutes against the Broncos, then a tiring return journey which arrived back in St. Helens during the 'small hours.' But there was little let-up in training on Monday and Tuesday although today's session will be light and, after 'Cas,' the squad can look forward to a week-end off.

WHITTLE: With Wheldon Road rarely a happy hunting ground for Saints,and victory there of paramount importance tomorrow night, surely this has to the toughest hurdle in the title race?

McRAE: You said that last week! Seriously though, I regarded all four away games as Saints' biggest test and the job is half-completed and must confess that I will be very relieved if Saints get the right result at Castleford. For myself, I have nothing but happy memories of Castleford because it was there I began my coaching career with Saints when we won 58-16 in a RL cup-tie on a freezing day in January, but no two games are the same and summer rugby is a somewhat different ball game. 'Cas' are on the fringe of the top four, were desperately unlucky to lose at Wigan and Saints are fully aware that they are in for a battle royal. But what the lads also know is that they can rely on the magnificent travelling support of the fans - believe me it is a massive boost.

WHITTLE: It is good to see Dean Busby making his way back in the Alliance team after being dogged by knee problems since being signed from Hull last year. He is in line for a senior recall?

McRAE: I am told that 'Buzz's' injury troubles at Saints started at Wheldon Road last December - let's say he could be in for a happier time on the same pitch tomorrow night!

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