Peet: Big Step For Us

• Matt Peet spoke to the press following his side’s Derby Day victory over St Helens.
• Peet: “These games are there to try and write your own little piece of history and today no-one can take it away from the lads.”
• FT | Wigan Warriors 14-6 St Helens

Matt Peet says he’s incredibly proud of his team’s performance, following a victory in The Derby against St Helens in front of 24,275 people at the DW Stadium.

Toby King’s second half try proved to be a decisive moment, with Harry Smith pivotal across the park with his kicking, as well as scoring two conversions, a penalty and a try.

“I’m pleased with the performance.” Peet said

“When you play good teams, you never really feel like you’ve won it until you’ve won it. They make you earn every part of it. Even right up until the end, we knew St Helens were capable of putting scores together. I was pleased with the resilience with the cover efforts. If you’re ever going to compete with them, you need to match them in those areas because they do that really well.

“Effort and desire are the things we need to have and we did today. We try and promote it but you’ve got to have it every week before you can get to that level. These games are there to try and write your own little piece of history and today no-one can take it away from the lads. I’m so proud of them.”

Peet sung the praises of Morgan Smithies, Joe Shorrocks and Toby King following the victory, after a fantastic defensive performance from his side served as the bedrock for the game’s success, including some incredible last ditch tackles to prevent the visitors from running clear to score.

He said: “Those are the sort plays that win the big games. They’re the kind of plays St Helens have been doing for years and we need to make it part of our DNA. I thought the commitment was great and it’s a big step for us.

“Morgan has to keep performing like that in these sorts of games and credit will come. There’s a reason he’s got number 13. Joe Shorrocks, we know what we’ve got with him. He’s a well-rounded player and can play in different positions – he’s one of our fittest players and he’s very competitive. That play at the end where he covered behind and saved a pass, he does that sort of thing all the time in practice and I’ve seen him do it since he was 13! He’s got a big engine and he’s end to end. I thought there was a bit of that about us today, in general.

“Toby has been playing well under the radar for some time now. He’s worked so hard behind the scenes since joining the club. It’s great to see him get his rewards and it’s purely testament to his hard work.”

Over 24,000 people packed out the DW Stadium in what was the largest home attendance for the club in over 18 years.

“There’s so many people working long hours with not much time off to make sure days like today happen and it goes smoothly.”, said Peet, “The lads speaking in the changing rooms, it’s a big day for the club not just the team. Kris Radlinski wants to push us to the next level, both on and off the field. It’s a pleasure for us to play our little part.

“I’ve enjoyed this week. No nerves, just excitement and feeling a bit like a fan in the build up, because you know both sets of players are going to turn up. I’ve got a lot of respect for St Helens and I understand why it means so much to these two clubs. They’re two fantastic clubs and teams.”

Mike Cooper and St Helens player Sione Mata’utia both were forced to leave the field due to injury, with the latter being carried off on a stretcher to recieve medical treatment for a head injury.

“We hope Sione Mata’utia is okay after going off. Mike Cooper’s going to need a scan, it’s his knee. Anything else said at this moment would be a guess.”