SAINTS coach Justin Holbrook was pleased to see his side overcome a stubborn Huddersfield Giants obstacle to set up a Challenge Cup quarter final tie with Wakefield Trinity.

Although Saints controlled the game. they needed a 61st minute Kevin Naiqama try to clinch it in what was a tight, nip-and-tuck encounter.

It was the sort of challenge Holbrook had expected the Giants to present.

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He said: “I am happy to get the win, but obviously a very tough game and that is what the Challenge Cup does.

“It puts everyone on a level playing field and everyone wants to get to Wembley and Huddersfield had the same plan as we had. We expected a tough game and we got it.

“We would have liked to have finished them off, but the ruck was the slowest I have ever seen so that made it very difficult.

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"It was just a hard game and the pleasing thing was even though we couldn’t quite kick clear and finish them off, we controlled the game and that is what I have said a number of times this year.

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“The second half we couldn’t kick away, but on the whole we controlled the game.

“We were only six points ahead and it never felt comfortable, but the way we were playing and obviously some of our last plays we need to improve on, but generally we were in control of the game and that was the most pleasing thing.

“One is to win the game and two we controlled it quite well. ”

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In the last eight Saints have been pulled out at home to third-placed Wakefield and another tough encounter is anticipated.

Read: Match reflection and pictures from cup win>

“It’s another tricky game, like today. They are really capable of playing really well and they can always test any side in the competition so it’s another tough game ahead but that is ok,” Holbrook said.