St Helens may have missed an initial chance to secure the League Leaders' Shield but Castleford's defeat in France on the final weekend of regular season action meant they topped the Super League standings heading into the play-offs.
And Saints coach Nathan Brown had few complaints about the way his side, down to 12 men for nearly an hour, just lost out in a 17-16 defeat by Huddersfield.
The Giants won a nerve-jangling encounter after Saints' Alex Walmsley was sent off shortly before the half-hour mark.
Former NZ Warriors man Lance Hohaia crossed over for one of three St Helens tries but he also missed a late drop-goal attempt with the visitors trailing by just one point.
And though they didn't secure the shield there and then Brown, who moved across to Super League from St George Illawarra back in 2008, enjoyed a thrilling game of rugby from both sides.
"The boys were super," he said. "To play nearly 60 minutes with 12 men, I don't think anyone can be disappointed with what they did out there tonight.
"It's certainly the best loss I've ever been involved with," Brown added.
Unlike St Helens, Salford are not now preparing for play-off rugby following a ninth-place finish.
But they did end their season in style, running in five tries to beat Widnes 36-6.
Rangi Chase was among the try scorers for Salford and head coach Iestyn Harris insisted the New Zealand-born playmaker has grown into the club's system throughout the campaign.
"When I arrived people said Rangi Chase could not play in a structure, but he showed he can and I can't speak highly enough about him.
"We didn't get out of the season what we wanted -- and that was to make the top eight. But it was important to finish on our terms. We did that and defended exceptionally well.
"It's been a slow process and a big transition with a lot of new players at the start and six or seven have left during the year for various reasons."
Elsewhere Warrington were beaten by defending champions Wigan on Friday and finished the regular season in a disappointing fifth place.
But Warrington's Australian flyer Joel Monaghan scored twice to ensure he finished the regular season as the Super League's top try scorer.
Monaghan, whose brother Michael will leave Warrington at the end of the season, couldn't prevent his side slipping to defeat, however, as Melbourne Storm-bound Blake Green scored to help Wigan to a 24-20 victory.
And Warrington coach Tony Smith admitted his charges let victory slip out of their grasp after half-time in Wigan.
"It's disappointing but it was a great game, a game of two halves," he said.
"I thought we completely dominated the first half - I thought their try came against the run of play. In the second half we gifted them one or two and they found some energy but I'm really proud of my boys.
"They were very strong in the tackle but there were a couple of things that were costly."
Source: AFP
