A HARD week of defensive training proved the best medicine for Darryl Van de Velde's ailing side.

Gruelling drills helped his side overcome their injury worries and bring a five game losing streak to an end.

The coach said: "I really wanted to make sure we didn't concede any soft tries this time and after the hard week they've had in training I'm glad to say we mostly managed to eliminate that.

"Hull got in for two tries late on but we were showing fatigue from playing with so many injuries and the game was won by then.

"There was a lot of good defensive play going on near the end. Pechey pulled off two great tackles in the final minutes which was pleasing to see.

"Most of the players are carrying on using pain killing injections to get them through at this stage and to see them control a game for most of the 80 minutes under these circumstances is excellent.

"We've got a big weekend coming up with the centenary match and it's important that we deliver for the fans. This result should lift them and the team so that it's a great occasion."

Van de Velde admitted that an element of personal relief came with the victory as board room changes come to a head at Wilderspool.

He said he was pushed into the unexpected decision to move Danny Farrar to scrum half after the heavy defeat at Castleford.

He said: "It didn't work out with Mike Wainwright at stand off so we had to come up with something else. Danny hasn't played at scrum half for years but he's a professional and he was up for the job when I put it to him.

"His leg speed let him down on a few occasions but he's got the organisational brain that we needed and did a fine job. The leadership and vision in the half backs was vital.

"Steve McCurrie had another great running game for us, Mike Eagar defended superbly and Brendon Tuuta did a great job for half an hour.

"He couldn't play any longer for us due to his knee but he came up with a great try and helped us to a winning position."

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