Warriors Win at the Jungle

Castleford Tigers 26
Tries: Dixon 2, Ferres, Widders, Shenton
Goals: Dixon, Westerman 2

Wigan Warriors 29
Tries: S Tomkins 3, Leuluai 2
Goals: Richards 4
DG: S Tomkins

Wigan guaranteed themselves a place in the end of season Play-Offs with a 26-29 win over Castleford Tigers at the Jungle on Sunday evening.

The hard fought victory ensured the cherry and whites a top 8 finish and earn some revenge for the loss to Terry Matterson’s men at home back in February.

Sam Tomkins was again inspirational as he grabbed his first Super League hat-trick while Thomas Leuluai scored a brace. The Tigers made a real battle of it coming back from 8-22 down to draw level before the Warriors grabbed further points late on to ensure the win.

Wigan named the same seventeen that defeated Warrington last time out at the DW Stadium. Castleford welcomed back Brent Sherwin after a three month lay off from the side that were heavily beaten at Leeds Rhinos.

Wigan took the lead on 9 minutes, a loose pass from Sherwin towards Shenton was lost and Sam Tomkins raced away with the ball from just inside the Castleford half for the first try of the night. The goal was missed from out wide by Pat Richards.

On 13 minutes the home side came close to an equalizing try, but good defensive work from George Carmont as he stole the ball off James Evans as the Castleford centre looked certain to score from a high kick on the last tackle. Soon after Wigan were called upon to defend their line again, this time Evans to Wainwright but the Tigers winger was pushed out into touch.

On 20 minutes Tigers forward Mitchell Sargent was put on report by referee Steve Ganson for a late challenge with his shoulder on Sam Tomkins. The penalty got Wigan downfield and within sixty seconds Wigan grabbed their second try. O’Loughlin with a pass to Thomas Leuluai and the scrum half did well close to the line to turn and twist his way over. This time Richards added the extras to make it 0-10.

On 25 Castleford got their first points, a Sherwin diagonal kick to the corner and Kirk Dixon jumped high for the ball above Pat Richards to cross for the try. The extras were missed by Westerman, 4-10.

Six minutes later and the home side were in for their second try, good work by Sherwin and Chase put Brett Ferres into a gap to score out wide. Westerman’s goal hit the upright and out to make the score 8-10.

Two minutes before the break and Wigan notched their third try, Sargent again penalised up field. Good work and clever skill from Sam Tomkins saw him grab his second try of the night as he stepped away from the Castleford defenders. Richards hit the goal to make it 8-16 at the interval.

On 46 minutes Thomas Leuluai got his second try, quick thinking from acting half back saw him bury his way over. Richards goal gave Wigan a comfortable 8-22 advantage.

The home side gave themselves a chance of a lifeline on 53 minutes. Dixon catching the ball high and off loading to Dean Widders for the try. Dixon hit the goal 14-22.

On 58 Castleford were right back in it, quick hands and Kirk Dixon in for a touch down in the corner, his second of the game. This time Joe Westerman hit the goal to make it 20-22.

A Westerman penalty leveled the match at 22-22 and it was game on.

On 65 Wigan hit back and it was that man Sam Tomkins again who created something out of nothing to find a gap in the Tigers line to cross for his hat-trick, his first in Super League. Richards goal made it 22-28.

Sam Tomkins popped over a one pointer on 73 minutes to open up a seven point lead to settle nerves of another large away Warriors following behind the posts.

Michael Shenton got a try in the corner with just two minutes left but it was a little too late, the goal was missed, 26-29 and that's the way it stayed.

So an important win for Wigan on the road which ensures a play-off spot with two games remaining.

Castleford Tigers: Ryan McGoldrick, Michael Wainwright, Michael Shenton, James Evans, Kirk Dixon, Rangi Chase, Brent Sherwin, Mitchell Sargent, Ryan Hudson, Craig Huby, Stuart Jones, Brett Ferres, Joe Westerman
Subs: Ryan Clayton, Liam Higgins, Ryan Boyle, Dean Widders

Wigan Warriors: Cameron Phelps, Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai, Andy Coley, Mark Riddell, Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Joel Tomkins, Sean O'Loughlin
Subs: Stuart Fielden, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Lee Mossop, Mark Flanagan

Referee: Steve Ganson

Attendance: 6,579