Wigan Warriors undone by Castleford Tigers fightback in home defeat

Head coach Matt Peet made three changes to the side that edged past Wakefield, with youngsters Dayon Sambou, Tom Forber and Taylor Kerr coming into the 17. Suspensions to Harry Smith and Sam Walters forced a reshuffle, while Adam Keighran moved into the halves and Zach Eckersley shifted to centre. Ollie Partington also made his first start of the season in the back-row.

It was the visitors who struck first. After a sharp break down the left from Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi finished the move, with Tom Weaver converting to give Castleford an early 6-0 lead.

Wigan thought they had a response when Jai Field broke clear, but he was denied by a superb try-saving tackle from Mikaele Ravalawa, keeping the Tigers in front.

The hosts eventually found their rhythm midway through the first half. Slick handling out to the right edge gave Sambou space, and the winger produced an acrobatic finish in the corner on just his second senior appearance. Keighran added the extras to level the scores.

Moments later, Wigan took control. A clever chip from Jack Farrimond caused problems for the Castleford defence, and Eckersley was on hand to collect and score. Keighran again converted, before adding a penalty late in the half to give the Warriors a 14-6 advantage at the break.

However, the second half told a very different story.

Castleford came out with renewed intensity and quickly turned the game on its head. Sustained pressure on the Wigan line led to Jack Ashworth powering over from close range, with Weaver converting to reduce the deficit.

Just three minutes later, the Tigers struck again. Mapapalangi chased down his own grubber kick to claim his second try of the afternoon, and Weaver’s conversion handed the visitors an 18-14 lead.

Wigan struggled to regain control as errors crept into their game, and Castleford capitalised. George Lawler extended the advantage just before the hour mark, crashing over from short range, with Weaver maintaining his perfect record from the tee to make it 24-14.

Despite late efforts, Wigan were unable to find a way back, as Castleford held firm to secure a shock victory at Wigan.

The result sees Wigan miss the chance to build momentum following their cup success, and they will now look to respond when they travel to face Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Round Nine of Super League on Friday night.

Wigan: Jai Field; Dayon Sambou, Zach Eckersley, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall; Adam Keighran, Jack Farrimond; Sam Eseh, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Ollie Partington, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Patrick Mago, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr. 18th man: Noah Hodkinson.

Tries: Sambou, Eckersley | Goals: Keighran 3/3

Castleford: Jenson Windley; Mikaele Ravalawa, Darnell McIntosh, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jason Qareqare; Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver; Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor, Joe Stimson. Subs: Brock Greacen, Jack Ashworth, Sam Hall, George Hirst. 18th man: Zac Cini.

Tries: Mapapalangi (2), Ashworth, Lawler | Goals: Weaver 4/4

Referee: James Vella | Attendance: 13,442