Warriors defeat the Tigers

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors scored six tries to defeat Castleford Tigers at the DW Stadium.
• Liam Marshall and Ryan Hampshire each crossed twice as the Warriors claimed two points on a return to Betfred Super League action.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 36-14 Castleford Tigers.

Wigan warriors scored six tries to defeat castleford tigers 36-14 at the dw stadium.

First half tries from Bevan French and Liam Marshall saw the Warriors lead 12-8 at the break after Louis Senior crossed for the visitors.

Ryan Hampshire widened the points difference with quick-fire tries after the restart before Marshall and Abbas Miski added further points.

Report

After an injury forced Castleford’s Charbel Tasipale off in the early stages, the Warriors opened the scoring on eight minutes when Harry Smith’s short pass allowed Liam Farrell to break through the line before offloading to the supporting French to score. Adam Keighran widened the score from tee.

The Warriors twice went close to extending their lead via the right edge, however, a handling error denied Junior Nsemba before Castleford’s defence stood firm to keep Abbas Miski out.

Wigan continued to apply pressure in the hope of a second try, however, the visitors scored their first points of the contest mid-way through the half when a loose ball fell into the hands of Louis Senior who accelerated more than 70m to score as Rowan Milnes levelled from in front of the posts.

Castleford forced the Warriors into defending back-to-back sets in their own 10m area, however, Junior Nsemba and French claimed high kicks under pressure to relieve the danger.

Mike Cooper came off the interchange bench on the half hour to make his first appearance since the Betfred World Club Challenge, and shortly after the Warriors regained the lead when Smith’s perfectly-weighted kick was collected by Marshall who touched down in the corner. Keighran added the extras from the touchline to put Wigan 12-6 ahead.

The Warriors looked to widen their lead off the back of an excellent piece of defensive work from Marshall and Jake Wardle to force L. Senior into touch, however, an interception from Elie El-Zakhem led to Wigan being penalised 30m out. Castleford opted for the two points as Milnes successfully reduced the points difference on the hooter to make the score 12-8 at the break.

Wigan were rewarded for a quick restart when French broke the line before offloading to Ryan Hampshire who raced in under the sticks to surpass 500 Super League points. Harry Smith added the two points to make the score 18-8 after 45 minutes.

The points difference was widened three minutes later when Marshall broke free down the wing before his kick back inside was collected by Hampshire who simply grounded for a second try of the evening as Smith kicked the two points.

The Warriors asserted further pressure to the Castleford defence following an offside offence from which Marshall crossed for his second after a delightful assist from Farrell. Smith’s successful touchline kick made the score 30-8 on the hour.

Castleford errors and offences created opportunities for the Warriors which led to further points when Miski gathered French’s kick through to slide over in the corner. Smith continued his perfect record from the tee to increase the score to 36-8.

The visitors crossed for a consolation try in the final minute when Milnes collected a loose pass to dive over from close range, before he added the extras with the final action of the match.

Gallery

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Ryan Hampshire, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Interchanges: Mike Cooper, Patrick Mago, Harvie Hill, Zach Eckersley.

18th Player: Tiaki Chan.

Tries: French (8′), Marshall (34′, 58′), Hampshire (45′, 47′), Miski (73′).

Goals: Keighran (2/2), Smith (4/4).

Castleford Tigers: Jack Broadbent, Louis Senior, Josh Hodson, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Rowan Milnes, Jacob Miller, Liam Watts, Liam Horne, Sam Hall, Charbel Tasipale, Elie El-Zakhem, George Hill.

Interchanges: Cain Robb, Brad Martin, Samy Kibula, Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi.

18th Player: Danny Richardson.

Tries: L. Senior (20′), Milnes (79′).

Goals: Milnes (3/3).

Attendance: 13,029