Think the general comments here have it about right.
The last two weeks we've had the game sewed up by 20 mins, largely because we'd taken the opposition by surprise and blitzed them (Leeds because we'd been bobbins all season up to that point, and Wire because they expected us to be more circumspect away from home against the league leaders). The scum weren't going to make the same mistake and came out all guns blazing. We seemed to go into our shells somewhat; we certainly didn't meet fire with fire - and we should have been able to boss that weakened wi*an pack. But didn't.
Another key reason for wi*an's dominance was their control of the ruck. Look back over the last two games and we've been able to get the roll on from quick PTB's. The scum slowed us right down - and in that respect, Bentham was dire. They also got right into our faces swiftly (with questionable offside officiating by Bentham again). What made this more pronounced, in the first half at least, was that Bentham pinged Saints for everything.
As has been said, two huge wrong decisions led to wi*an tries. He penalised Perry for giving the crackwhore a tiny slap - Perry having just received an identical tiny slap the second before (to which the crackwhore responded by stropping after Perry).
The penalty count evened up later in the game (where everything seemed to go Saints' way), but the damage had already been done - wi*an had been allowed to grow in confidence, score points, whilst Saints were knackered, slumping in confidence and always having to play catch-up.
Finally, Lomax going off was a huge disruption. I don't agree that Hohaia was shown up - he was fizzing until Lomax went off. Let's also remember that, because of wi*an's enthusiasm & go-forward, our gameplan that's been so succesful these last 2 games was trampled and we had to try to adapt. We failed.
Overall, a huge disappointment - but also a reality check.
