Beating Saints would leave Wigan fan Ainscough in heaven! (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Beating Saints would leave Wigan fan Shaun Ainscough in heaven!

7:00am Friday 8th June 2012 in Sport By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

TASTE FOR TRIES: Shaun Ainscough is determined to build on his hat-trick

As a born and bred Wiganer who grew up with cherry and white coursing through his veins, Shaun Ainscough has always relished a battle with St Helens.

A product of Wigan’s academy, Ainscough spent five years with the Warriors before moving to Odsal at the start of last season.

Tonight the Bulls winger, 22, will make his first visit to Langtree Park as Mick Potter’s men bid to complete a Super League double over Saints.

“St Helens are a team I’ve seen as my rivals since I was a kid,” said Ainscough, who scored a hat-trick in Monday’s win over Castleford.

“I was around 16 when I joined Wigan at scholarship level.

“I grew up playing for Wigan St Judes against Blackbrook, the main amateur team in St Helens, and it was always the hardest game.

“We were the two best teams really and I played in that fixture many times.

“We would win one game, then they would the next. It was always mixed every year.

“It’s always good to play against St Helens, no matter what level it is.

“They’re a good team and going there and turning them over would be brilliant.”

For Ainscough, any meeting with Saints is an occasion to quicken the pulse.

He added: “I used to always go and watch Wigan play against Saints at Knowsley Road with my next door neighbour.

“I went to all the away games and it was the worst thing ever at times on the terraces because I couldn’t see anything due to being so small.

“I’ve driven past their new ground at Langtree Park a few times but I’ve never been in it.”

That will change tonight when the Bulls go in search of another victory and Ainscough aims to stay on the try-scoring trail.

The treble against Castleford marked his first Super League tries of the season.

Ainscough, who scored a hat-trick in the Challenge Cup win against Doncaster, added: “It was good to finally get some tries in Super League.

“I’d like to start the ball rolling now and get a lot more. It just shows that I can do the job.

“Yes, I made a mistake against Cas which allowed them to score but I showed that when I’m in the team I can do a job when I do get the ball.

“There is a lot of competition at Bradford this season and it’s tough to get in.

“It is frustrating not playing because you’re stuck on the sidelines and just training.

“You’re thinking am I in this week or am I not?’ “It’s hard at times but when you get your chance you have to take it.

“If the ball comes out to the right channel and to me on the wing, we can actually do something with it.

“Hopefully, we can show that at St Helens and get another good result against them.

“We’re still trying to stay in the top eight and that’s the aim for this season.”

Ainscough, who is one of 17 Bulls players out of contract at the end of the year, is not overly concerned with the club’s financial plight.

He said: “I’ve read all about it in the T&A but whatever happens will happen; we as players can’t do anything about it.

“We just have to let them sort it out and see what they come up with.”