Holbrook rues “missed opportunity”

St Helens head coach Justin Holbrook says Sunday’s defeat at Castleford was a “missed opportunity” for Saints.

Tries from Mark Percival and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook put St Helens 12-4 ahead at the break, but the Tigers came back in the second half to secure a 16-12 success.

Holbrook said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game and it would have been great to win – to fall just short is very disappointing.

“Castleford obviously weren’t at full strength but they haven’t lost here for a reason. They’re a very good footy side and they showed that again today. But it was a missed opportunity.

“They had the luxury to rest a few today because of where they are sitting in the table and they earned that.

“For us to fall just short, it’s really costly for where we’re sitting in the table.

“It was disappointing we didn’t get the win, but I’m really happy with the squad and we came really close today. It’s important we just move on to next week.”