French flurry tames Tigers

  • Match report as Wigan Warriors beat Castleford Tigers at the DW Stadium.
  • Bevan French grabs two tries in his first game of 2021 for the Warriors.
  • FT | Wigan Warriors 22-12 Castleford Tigers.

Bevan French was back with a bang as his two tries helped Wigan overcome Castleford Tigers at the DW Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Australian’s two tries were accompanied on the score sheet by efforts from Zak Hardaker and Sam Powell to put the result beyond a spirited Tigers side.

Adrian Lam’s side extend their winning run to five games in all competitions with the victory on home soil.

Both sides began cautiously, completing their opening sets in the opening 10 minutes while not looking overly threatening.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock through winger Derrell Olpherts in the 15th. Attacking the Wigan right, a swift pass from Peter Mata’utia freed up the winger to go over in the corner.

The Warriors struck back 10 minutes later through in-form full back Zak Hardaker. Fantastic play on the last from Harry Smith saw the scrum half break the Cas line with 15 metres to go. Smith then offloaded brilliantly as he lost his footing to find Hardaker following up to collect and touch down.

The Tigers went ahead in the 31st minute thanks to a converted penalty from reigning Man of Steel Paul McShane.

Wigan soon hit back through the returning Bevan French. A pacey move down the left edge saw Liam Farrell feed the Australian to go over in the corner.

Despite starting the brighter of the two sides in the second half, it was Wigan who conceded first. Castleford’s Olpherts grabbed his second of the game in the 46th, despite the best efforts of French defending his own goal line.

The Warriors soon struck back thanks to a second from French. A swift set had the visitors back-peddling and Jackson Hastings took advantage of this by kicking on the third into the corner from 40 metres out. French left his marker and galloped onto the ball to score a brilliant try.

Wigan hooker Sam Powell put the result beyond doubt in the 76th with a vintage run from dummy half diving over for a four-pointer.

Wigan Warriors: Zak Hardaker, Jake Bibby, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Jackson Hastings, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Tony Clubb, John Bateman, Morgan Smithies, Oliver Partington.

Interchanges: Joe Shorrocks, Joe Bullock, Liam Byrne, Ethan Havard.

Tries: Hardaker (25′), French (36′, 52′), Powell (76′)

Goals: Hardaker (3/4)

Castleford Tigers: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Michael Shenton, Greg Eden, Jordan Turner, Jake Trueman, Tyla Hepi, Paul McShane, Liam Watts, Cheyse Blair, Oliver Holmes, Nathan Massey.

Interchanges: Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Lewis Bienek, Brad Martin

Tries: Olpherts (15′, 47′)

Goals: McShane (1/2)

Penalties: McShane (31′)

Referee: Chris Kendall

Thursday 22 April 2021