Millward hails Saints' attitude

By Phil Harlow
BBC Sport at the Millennium Stadium

CHALLENGE CUP FINAL St Helens 32-16 Wigan

St Helens coach Ian Millward attributed his side's 32-16 Challenge Cup final win over Wigan to a special culture of success at the club.

"I have a bunch of guys who are very honest with each other and want to improve their game," said Millward.

"No matter what age you are, if you don't want to improve you're not going to get any better, but we're lucky to have that culture here."

Millward was delighted to have secured the win after beating Bradford, Leeds, Hull and Huddersfield to reach the final.

"We had a tough draw, but that didn't give us the right to win the game," he said. "All it gave us was the right to compete it in the game, and we competed very well.

"Sean Long's kicking game was outstanding and it was a great team effort."

Paul Sculthorpe was equally happy after picking up his first trophy as St Helens captain.

"It's unbelievable - to lead the boys up there and pick this trophy up was a great feeling," said the Great Britain international.

"To do it in front of so many fans was brilliant. There must be no-one left in the town! Everywhere you looked there was someone in a St Helens shirt.

"If we'd have come here and lost, nobody would've remembered the games that we won to get here. We've beaten the other five teams in the Super League top six.

"It's credit to the 17 players here today and the other players like Micky Higham who have got us into this position."