Super League: Wigan beat Castleford to extend lead
- Published
Wigan Warriors have won all of their matches since Super League returned in August
Betfred Super League |
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Wigan (16) 30 |
Tries: Powell, J Burgess, Flower, Farrell, Bullock Goals: Hardaker 5 |
Castleford (12) 22 |
Tries: O'Brien, Massey, Olpherts, Shenton Goals: Richardson 3 |
Wigan Warriors extended their lead at the top of Super League to four points as they came from behind to beat Castleford Tigers.
Gareth O'Brien and Nathan Massey put Cas ahead but Sam Powell and Joe Burgess swiftly replied.
Ben Flower added to Wigan's tally but Derrell Olpherts crossed in the corner for Castleford after the break.
Tries by Liam Farrell and Joe Bullock wrapped up the home win, before Michael Shenton's clever late score.
The result means Wigan maintain their 100% record since the restart and moved further clear of second-placed St Helens.
Castleford, meanwhile, have now lost three games in a row and are seventh in the table.
Tigers stepped into the fixture earlier this week after three positive Covid-19 tests were recorded by Wigan's original opponents Catalans Dragons.
As rugby league celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday, the match suited the occasion as Castleford did their best to frustrate Adrian Lam's side in an entertaining affair on a chilly afternoon at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Liam Marshall set the tone with some excellent defending to hold up Oliver Holmes on the Wigan try-line early on but the Wigan winger was forced off soon after with a knee injury.
The Warriors' luck soon picked up as quickfire Powell and Burgess tries put them in control but Cas fought back through Olpherts' score.
There was a lengthy break in play just after the second half started as James Clare was taken off on a stretcher with a neck injury following a tackle from Morgan Smithies, who was sent to the bin.
An assured Wigan performance was wrapped up when Farrell and Bullock combined in the closing stages, although there was still time for Shenton to cross for Cas.
Wigan: Hardaker, Marshall, J Burgess, French, Leuluai, Powell, Isa, Farrell, Bullock, Byrne, Bibby, Havard, Hastings.
Interchanges: G Burgess, Flower, Smithies, Smith.
Castleford: Olpherts, Shenton, Trueman, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Holmes, McMeeken, Massey, Griffin, Foster, Clare, O'Brien.
Interchanges: Millington, Milner, Sene-Lefao, Smith.
Referee: J Child.