Justin Holbrook relieved for St Helens to make it through to semi-finals of Challenge Cup

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook said it wasn’t the best performance from his side but is just glad to make it through the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a tough win over Hull FC.

The Saints edged past current Challenge Cup winners Hull FC with a pulsating 25-22 victory in the quarter-finals at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday.

Mark Percival and Regan Grace scored two tries each for St Helens, while Danny Richardson kicked four goals and a drop-goal.

But Holbrook says it wasn’t a great performance from Super League’s leaders, but he is just happy to progress through to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

He said: “I am relieved to have won the game.

“We were okay. I thought because they lost a few to the bin, we panicked a bit to put them away. We struggled with our game management towards the back end of the second half and we were trying to kick too hard ahead of a good team.

“I thought Regan Grace was outstanding for us and he probably had his best game for us, Percy (Mark Percival) was great too. Everyone was solid without being brilliant but it was a big game and I’m happy to win.

“You could see why Hull have won it the last two years. They just kept coming and at one stage I thought we were ready to take control of the game but we didn’t and I want to give Hull a good rap on the way they played. They really stuck it to us and I am just happy to come away with the win.”

St Helens will face Catalans Dragons in the semi-finals at the Macron Stadium in Bolton, while Leeds Rhinos will take on Warrington Wolves.

Holbrook is pleased with the draw but insists that Saints cannot underestimate the French club.

He added: “It’s a long way away and the funny thing is that you are ready to go again but we have to wait.

“Catalans are improving but we have got a lot of rugby to play before then. They have done well, they aren’t having their best season in Super League but they had a good win on Thursday night and they have earned their place in the semi-finals, so that will give them a lot of confidence and it gives them a lot of time to try and gel with (Josh) Drinkwater being in there now and with Kenny Edwards who they have just signed to play straight away.

“They are going to get better so we are going to have to work hard in the meantime, but we will look forward to it.”

Next up for Saints is a home game against Hull Kingston Rovers at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday, 8pm kick-off.