Tony Smith said he did not feel relieved about Warrington Wolves securing their place in Super League next year on the back of the fifth straight win in the Middle 8s campaign.

That’s because he never had any doubts, he said after the 32-30 win against Leigh Centurions.

“I’m not sure if relief is the word, because we were going to get it done,” said Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby.

“There was determination, we weren’t going to let anything stop us even if we weren’t playing the best rugby at different stages.

“We’ve got enough grit and graft and determination about us to get there.

“I never had a doubt we were going to secure our place, so there’s no relief.

“Maybe pleasure?

“I’m grateful for the boys’ efforts in that they’ve worked hard enough to get back in that position that we never want to get back into again in the Qualifiers.”

Wolves, with Harvey Livett, Joe Westerman, Mike Cooper and Brad Dwyer making their returns to the 17, made hard work of it against a Leigh side that had been poor the previous week in a home defeat to Widnes Vikings.

“We weren’t going to expect an easy run against a desperate team,” he said.

“They needed a win to give themselves a real shot of escaping their situation.

“It wasn’t pretty by any means but we got there. We had enough determination.

“It was six tries to five, the difference could have been a little more if we’d kicked a few more goals and made it a little more easier on ourselves.

“They’re the type of team that can make a real fight of it.

“I thought it had a lot of intensity. I thought both teams tried really hard.

“I thought there was a lot about both teams and both teams took some opportunities. Both teams missed a couple too.

“We’re just pleased to get the two points and because of that result that’s just finished (Hull KR defeating Widnes) it means we’re secured.

“That’s one part of our mission to finish the season strongly. We’ve got two more games in which we want to finish strongly but to secure our position back in Super League was our priority, so to get it done as quickly as we have is very pleasing.”