SAINTS coach Justin Holbrook was pleased to see his side overcome Warrington for a third time this year with a 30-12 win at the Halliwell Jones.

Tries from Kevin Naiqama and Jonny Lomax cancelled out scores from Wire wings Jake Mamo and Josh Thewlis.

But in the second half, Saints were always in command with tries from Joseph Paulo, Matty Costello and Tommy Makinson making sure of a Super League whitewash of the second placed side.

Holbrook said: "I thought we started a little bit slow and got on with the game.

"At half time it was close.

"In the second half Warrington threw a fair bit at us, which was great, but we came away with a good win in the end."

There was another fine game from 18-year-old Jack Welsby with try savers on a runaway Ben Murdoch Masila and Harvey Livett, complemented by some fine work setting up tries at the other end.

"It was great for young Jack.

"He has had a handful of games with us now and he is getting better every week.

"He is a good young player to coach because he is a good listener and every time he has played he has improved.

"Tonight he was excellent - especially that tackle on Murdoch Masila, which was a huge effort.

"There are types of areas he has been working on and in his first few games he has been carrying the ball like a front rower for. I have told him it is not needed in first grade.

"He has made a lot of changes to his game and I am really happy for him to play so well."

It was not quite a dress rehearsal for the final - with both sides fielding sides missing key players and Warrington fielding a fledgling half back pairing.

"Both sides had a number of players out, but it was a tricky game for both sides.

"We still want to play well, and we did that tonight.

"It is the one in two weeks that really counts," he said.

He explained that Joseph Paulo picked up a slight hamstring strain when speeding up for the his first try for the club.

There was praise too for Jonny Lomax, who missed last week following the birth of his son.

"Jonny was classy for us tonight - fantastic. He has got a new baby boy so he probably won't be getting much sleep but hasn't affected the way he plays," he said.