PAUL ROWLEY was “not too despondent” with St Helens’ 16-14 loss to Wigan Warriors in the last game of Magic Weekend.
Jackson Hastings missed a penalty after the hooter had sounded, but Saints coach Rowley was keen to show his pride in his players following a thrilling game.
“I look back on it with a lot of pride. There was a lot of satisfaction in many respects but I was disappointed with the result,” Rowley said.
“I thought both teams did a tremendous job in finishing Magic Weekend off with a good game of rugby.
“I couldn’t keep up at times, it was mad. It was a violent game and, as such, there were a lot of head injuries and god knows what else going on.
“We probably felt we deserved more out of the game but it was a really good game by two committed teams.
“We’re not going to be too despondent about it.”
The Saints boss did, however, take umbrage with some refereeing decisions, especially when Jack Farrimond was placed on report for a high tackle on Owen Dagnall, who had to leave the field.
Wigan weren’t penalised and went up the field to score through Jai Field, with Rowley expressing his dismay.
“We won four Captain’s Challenges which is quite unique I would suspect,” he said.
“That means four things got missed but we challenged and got them which is great.
“The on-report decision troubled me a little bit more because there’s a review and two jumbo screens at this game and there is contact with the head.
“Wigan then go up the other end and score. We should be good enough to defend but the on-report (call) is not the right way to go.”
Rowley also touched upon the two yellow cards given to Jack Welsby.
He said: “I thought the second one (for pushing) was ridiculous. The first one is a bit disappointing with him throwing the ball away.”
Alex Walmsley, George Delaney and Daryl Clark all failed their HIAs late on.