Nervy St Helens overcome Castleford thanks to boot of Tommy Makinson

The only thing that rises higher than the temperature when we get to this stage of the Super League season are the nerves, and how that was evident here.

A fortnight ago, a narrow victory riddled with so many errors would have been unacceptable from a St Helens side in pursuit of an unprecedented fourth successive Super League title. But back-to-back defeats have led to their position at the top coming under increasing threat from Wigan, and a third successive defeat here could have caused real panic among the reigning champions.

This was very much a case of win by any means necessary and to that end, it was job done. But the fact only goal-kicking separated the Saints and a Castleford side, who themselves looked to be showcasing end-of-season nerves, underlines we are reaching the most important period of the year.

Perhaps the one positive for Kristian Woolf’s side here is that they held off an impressive comeback from the visitors in the final quarter to re-establish a four-point lead over Wigan with five rounds of the regular season remaining. Leading 20-0 with 15 minutes remaining, the scratchy play from both sides suggested it was highly unlikely Castleford could cause the Saints any meaningful worries.

But a hat-trick from Bureta Faraimo would have brought the contest firmly back into the balance had it not been for three missed conversions from Castleford. In contrast, all three of St Helens’ tries were converted by Tommy Makinson, coupled with a penalty from the boot of the winger. And that proved to be enough for the league leaders to hold on and calm any fears among their supporters with the business end of the year approaching.

While St Helens sit four points clear at the top and are practically assured of a