REPORT: Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers

It was an outstanding victory at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as the Castleford Tigers defeated Wigan Warriors 24-24.

The game saw young Jenson Windley given the nod at full-back, and the return of Liam Hood on a sunny afternoon in Lancashire.

First blood went the way of the Tigers, as Krystian Mapapalangi burst onto a ball from Daejarn Asi, passed it off to Jason Qareqare and received it back to put the away side into an early lead - with Tom Weaver able to add the extras from between the sticks.

The thirteenth minute was marked with a minute’s applause in the memory of young Warriors fan Tilly Worthington.

Shortly after, Jai Field looked for all the world to be in for a try, but Mikaele Ravalawa held him up all the way through the try zone and over the line to produce one of the best defensive efforts you'll see all year!

However, at the other end, Dayon Sambou scored with a remarkable acrobatic finish in the corner following successive six-agains, and then Zach Eckersley scored minutes later after a successful Captain’s Challenge from the home side gave them a penalty that pushed them up the field. Adam Keighran scored both conversions to put the Warriors up by six.

The Warriors were then given two more points, as Adam Keighran kicked a penalty goal to extend the lead to eight with three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first half.

HALF-TIME: Wigan Warriors 14-6 Castleford Tigers

Penalties and six-agains - and some good attacking work - gave the Tigers early pressure in the second half, and Jack Ashworth forced his way over the line to score, before Tom Weaver added the extras to reduce the deficit.

Wigan had quick back-to-back tries in the first half, but soon, the Tigers had replicated that - in style!

Mapapalangi broke down the wing before handing it to Jenson Windley, who took the ball up towards the try line. Mapapalangi then picked the ball up, kicked through and scored himself, to put the Castleford Tigers ahead for the second time of the afternoon!

Before long, it was three quick scores for Cas - George Lawler forced his way over the line, pushing the defenders back to give him space to touch the ball down brilliantly for his fourth of the season. Weaver made it four from four successful kicks, and the lead was ten in favour of the away side!

It looked like Tom Weaver had finished things off as he raced through to touch down with ten to go, but an obstruction in the build-up saw it disallowed.

However, a series of knock-ons and misplaced passes by the Warriors, alongside some smart game-management from the Tigers, was enough to seal the deal for a famous Tigers victory!!

FULL-TIME: Wigan Warriors 14-24 Castleford Tigers