By Paul Sculthorpe St Helens star and BBC Sport Online columnist

It is absolutely disgusting the way the Rugby Football League hit us with a �25,000 fine for fielding an under-strength side.

Our coach Ian Millward told them at the press conference before the game that there were going to be a lot of players out.

Saints disagree with fine

He asked them to come and check out the players for themselves with an RFL physio and doctor but they did not take us up on it.

By imposing the fine they are saying we rested players but we know everyone was genuinely injured.

We thought there was no way that they could do it but obviously they have seen it in a different way.

At the end of the day, the guys who played are all contracted St Helens players.

So I do not see how it is up to the RFL to decide who Ian picks.

Hopefully the club will appeal.

Joynt scored one of Saints' 10 tries against Widnes

But it will not really affect the playing side of things - we all want to win the Super League anyway.

It is just a bit sickening - the club is not in the best financial health at the moment and it is a bit of a kick in the teeth.

On the brighter side, last week we had a tremendous 10-try 56-6 win against Widnes.

They had a 100% away record and we were unbeaten at home so someone's wining streak had to give.

And we were fired up to make sure it was not us.

We scored some great tries and our defence was good - they only scored against us in the last few minutes.

In the last two weeks we have only had two tries scored against us and we have scored more than 100 points.

Team spirit

This week we have got a tough game against strugglers Salford.

They have got a new coach and teams always seem to do well when there are changes - everyone is trying to impress the new boss.

In the next couple of weeks all the top sides play each other so if we can win both our games we can get up there with Bradford.

But this decison by the RFL will not affect the team. Our team spirit is tremendous.

It is one of best I have ever been involved with and I think that is one thing that helps us on game day, the fact that the players get on so well.