LONDON: Wakefield Wildcats are currently bottom of the Super League, seven points adrift of their nearest rivals and coachless, but interim boss Stuart Dickens is adamant the shoots of recovery were evident in their 30-18 loss to Widnes Vikings.
Australian coach James Webster left the Wildcats earlier this week after 12 losses from 13 matches but Stefan Marsh's hat-trick ensured there would be no quick fix.
Former Wests Tigers stand-out Rhys Hanbury was also amongst the scorers for Widnes but after Wakefield notched three tries of their own, Dickens believes escaping relegation is still a distinct possibility.
"I think there is enough quality," he explained. "If we can get a bit of quality with the ball then without doubt staying up is definitely an achievable goal.
"We asked for a response from the players in terms of commitment, desire and determination and I thought we got that.
"The things we need to improve on now are probably a little bit of quality with the ball and smartness in decision-making."
St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham knows his side's 17-10 win over Hull FC was far from vintage but believes the fighting spirit they exhibited proves they won't give up their Super League title without a fight.
Shannon McDonnell and Tommy Makinson went over for the reigning champion Saints before their defence withheld a late Hull onslaught to go second in the table.
"It was brilliant. Hull had a lot of ball at the end, but we hung on and hung on. We had good resolve and it was pleasing to get the victory," said Cunningham.
"We just keep turning up for each other and you can't fabricate that. You can't make it up, it's something that is built by spirit and that want for the victory."
St Helens are three points behind table-topping Leeds Rhinos and Leeds coach Brian McDermott was quick to salute Kevin Sinfield on reaching another personal milestone in their 36-16 victory over Hull KR.
Sinfield will switch codes to rugby union at the end of the season, but the 34-year-old booted six goals and ran in a try against Hull KR to go third on the list of all-time rugby league points-scorers with 4,062.
"This is probably the 20th time I've spoken about Kev's milestones and you never get bored of speaking about them," said McDermott.
"I don't think he ever gets bored of achieving them. It's fantastic isn't it? What a marvellous career he's having."
And Huddersfield Giants beat Castleford Tigers 24-16 thanks to Eorl Crabtree's late try but it was news of World Cup winner Sam Rapira's impending arrival that was the story in Huddersfield.
Prop Rapira, who currently plays for New Zealand Warriors, will swap the NRL for the Super League from November and Giants head coach Paul Anderson is convinced the 28-year-old will fit right in.
"Sam is a winner and a tough competitor who will enjoy the conditions here after he has finished his outstanding NRL career," explained Anderson.
"He had options here and in Australia so we are delighted he has joined our club in the face of a lot of other possibilities."
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