TO some extent Sunday's match was an action replay of the game at Workington in March, but Town gave us a more problems on defence this time. So said Saints' boss Shaun McRae after Sunday's 60-16 points bonanza.

WHITTLE: Seventeen successive victories, Cup winners and eleven glorious tries last time out but many fans are still 'beefing' that Saints are not good enough. What say you?

McRAE: They must be like me ie perfectionists who are never quite satisfied, and I would certainly agree that Saints' performance was not flawless because we were guilty of half-a-dozen handling errors in each half and took the wrong option on a few occasions.

However, Saints' scoring was fairly evenly balanced over the 80 minutes and I was delighted with our defence in the first half when Town failed to cross the line, but they then turned the ball over just three times, and this had something to do with their late scoring burst.

The oppressive heat, allied to both teams being under-strength obviously had its effect, but overall I believe my team showed great intensity throughout, while the Cumbrians were much improved from when we met them on the opening day of the season.

What did please me no end was the triumphant return of Bobbie Goulding, despite not being 100 per cent fit, but the skipper was desperate to get a game in before the 'big one' at Wigan, while breaking the 100-goals record was another bonus for a lad whose talents appear limitless.

Prop Jonathan Neill returned after a long spell away from the senior squad to graft as mightily as ever, but was first to admit that he found the pace of the game staggering, as did Andy Northey, who is understandably struggling for match fitness after being absent since Wembley

The re-emergence of John McAtee has also increased my options because, to use baseball jargon, he is something of a 'pinch-hitter' in that his versatility enables him to play in either half-back position or at hooker. With Phil Veivers and Phil Waring no longer at Saints and with Tommy Martyn sidelined the benefits of having a player like McAtee around become very obvious

WHITTLE: Two in harmony _ is that the case with you and new assistant Mike Gregory?

McRAE: The partnership is working like a dream so far, because ex-Great Britain skipper Mike is respected by the players, co-ordinates the roles of all three teams and, having retired from playing, now wears an entirely different hat in a supportive capacity to the club in general. Video analysis and fitness conditioning are also included in Mike's brief and, as with all of my staff, I am totally satisfied with 'Greg's' input. WHITTLE: The recent elevation of youngsters such as Anthony Stewart and Alan Cross to the senior squad is obviously a forward-thinking policy. Can we expect more of this in the near future?

McRAE: I would like to think so but, at the end of day, it is dependent on several factors not least injuries and international calls. However, youth will have its fling when the opportunity presents itself, and certainly training, travelling, being on the 'bench' and a glimpse of what life is like at the top is all part of the learning curve.

WHITTLE: Wigan at Central Park tomorrow - the mind boggles at what could be the Super League championship decider, don't you think?

McRAE: For once in a while I would agree that the pressure is on Wigan in that they are three points behind us, and they will be smarting after losing at Knowsley Road and also dropping a point to London Broncos, but they are at home and for these reasons must start favourites.

However, with 10 rounds still to go it is early days to suggest the outcome of the clash could settle the title issue, but I go along with the opinion that it is resolving itself into a two-horse race between Saints and Wigan, and would ask our supporters to bear in mind that six of our games are away from home.

What I can promise tomorrow night is yet another eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between two of the best sides in the business, and the destination of two vital points could be decided by an isolated handling error or the bounce of the ball because, make no mistake about it, this is the toughest test of the lot!

WHITTLE: Team selection for Wigan, or rather injury and fitness speculation, has dominated conversation among supporters this week. What is the current situation?

McRAE: It is rather unclear at the moment but I expect to announce Saints' line-up at today's final training session. The good news is that Apollo Perelini (knee) and Paul Newlove will be ready, although "Newey' had to see the doctor about his breathing problems on Tuesday. However, Vila Matautia and Derek McVey are ruled out with ankle problems, as are Scott Gibbs (shoulder), Dean Busby (knee) and Tommy Martyn (torn stomach muscles). However, there is a little more good cheer in that Joey Hayes hopes to make his long-awaited return in the Alliance side at Leeds next Wednesday.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.