Cunningham laments slow start

St Helens head coach Keiron Cunningham was frustrated with the way his team started the match against Leigh, which ended in defeat for Saints.

The Centurions secured a 24-16 victory at the Leigh Sports Village to register their first Super League victory since earning promotion from the Championship.

“The start was really disappointing,” Cunningham said.

“We had a couple of really good weeks of training and did a fair bit of talking leading up to it but there just wasn’t enough actions.”

Cunningham admitted his side created ample chances to win the match but lacked the killer instinct.

“We created enough chances if we had been clinical enough to win three games,” he said.

“It’s a very good learning curve for us and we have a lot to turn around for next Friday now.”

Leigh captain Micky Higham scored a crucial four-pointer when Saints were turning the screw and trying to get back into the game and Cunningham thought Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook could have done much better in preventing the try.

“Micky burnt us and I think Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook will be having nightmares about that one for a while,” he said.

“It was Louie’s first game back and I wouldn’t say it was his greatest game but Louie will get better.”