MAKING his home Super League debut for his hometown club has only given Leon Hayes the thirst for more.

The Warrington-born scrum-half was thrust into the limelight this week as he made just his third top-flight appearance by starting in place of the injured George Williams against St Helens on Friday night.

Saints spoiled the prospect of a fairytale evening for Hayes by riding away with a hard-earned 18-6 victory, but it remains a night the 19-year-old will remember forever regardless.

“I’m obviously gutted about the result, but that is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Hayes said.

“Actually doing it is quite surreal, with all the fans behind you and everyone going nuts at times.

“It’s everything I thought it would be and more – I really enjoyed it.

“Gaz (Chambers, interim head coach) gave me a little nod on Tuesday to say it was probably on, which he backed up on Wednesday. Since then, it has been full-on.

“The butterflies were certainly there in the belly from when I had that phone call with Gaz, but being out there and experiencing it is something I will learn from.

“I’ll watch it back and I know there will be plenty I can learn from.”

Initially, Hayes had precious little chance to unleash the pinpoint kicking game and organisational qualities that marked him out as a stand-out in the club’s academy as the visitors dominated the first half.

He ended up successfully completing 21 of 26 attempted tackles but as The Wire turned the tide in the second period, he started to grow in confidence with the ball in his hands.

“I feel like I went alright,” he said.

“I was pretty quiet in the first half – with the way Saints defend, it’s pretty freakish but in the second half, I started getting into the game and doing what I do normally. It’s just all confidence.

“I think we completed at around 50 per cent in the first half and against a team like Saints, you’ve got no chance doing that.

“When we get going through our middle and we finish in corners, that’s when we’re at our best but it’s just about doing it more consistently.”

Warrington will hope to have Williams back from his thigh injury for next week’s trip to Huddersfield Giants but following last night’s game, many have called for Hayes to remain in the team alongside him.

For now, however, the youngster is merely focused on learning as much as he can from those around him.

“Training with players like George, Drinky (Josh Drinkwater) and Riley (Dean) – they’re a lot older than me so I’m learning from them all the time,” he said.

“It’s what I need to be doing, asking questions. I probably should be doing it more – asking a lot more questions of those experienced guys.

“For me now, it’s about getting better every day.”