Castleford Tigers Supporters Club

The Tigers bounced back from the hammering at Headingley with a much improved performance although ultimately they fell short going down 29-26 to Wigan at The Jungle.

Cas welcomed back scrum half Brent Sherwin after a lengthy lay off along with Kirk Dixon who returned on the wing replacing James Ford. A strong Wigan Line-up arrived for the Sky televised clash including young starlet Sam Tomkins who proved to be the gamestar with a hat-trick of tries and half back partner Thomas Leuluai also chipped in with a brace.

Tomkins got the visitors off to a dream start when on 9 minutes he picked up a loose Tigers pass on half way to race in for the opening score. With Pat Richards unable to add the extras, Wigan lead by 4.

Cas tried to hit back and good work by Rangi Chase, Stuart Jones and James Evans saw Dixon tackled into touch before Leuluai crossed for Wigan only to be brought back for a forward pass.

Chase was tackled just short following up a Joe Westerman break and Mitchell Sargent was placed on report for a tackle on Timkins before Leuluai dummied his way over for a try confirmed by the video ref, which Richards converted.

On 28 minutes, Sherwin's high kick say Dixon out-jump Richards to grab a try back for Cas to reduce the deficit, then 4 minutes later Sherwin's pass sent Brett Ferres in for another try. Amazingly Westerman hit the post with both conversion attempts.

With the interval approaching Cas bombed an opportunity when Chase fed Westerman but the ball went to ground and to add insult to injury the visitors went upfield and stretched their lead. The ball moved through the hands and Tomkins stepped Westerman to go in for his 2nd try. Richards again converted taking the lead to 8 points.

After the break the Tigers went looking to claw some points back and when on the last tackle Sherwin opted to run the ball, Ferres went through a gap in the Wigan defence his pass to Michael Shenton went to ground and another chane went begging. Then a Ryan McGoldrick pass went to ground and Michael Wainwright forced his way over only for the video ref to rule no try.

A Leuluai offload sent Harrison Hansen through but the 2nd row man was caught in possession with men in support but this only delayed thing as Leuluai dummied his way over for his 2nd and Richards conversion took the score to 8-22.

Cas found a way back in to the game through Sherwin's towerin kicks to the corner. Dixon outjumped Richards and fed Dean Widders who went in for a try and then Dixon scored his 2nd again outjumping Richards to score in the corner. Dixon converted Widders' try with Westerman hitting a cracker off the touchline to convert Dixon's try.

The Tigers were now piling on the pressure when they were awarded a penalty, Westerman levelled the scores at 22-22.

Tomkins then completed his hat-trick, going through a gap to step McGoldrick to score. Richards again converted and then Tomkins added a drop goal leaving the Tigers to score twice to take the spoils.

McGoldrick sent Westerman through a gap the ball went short side and Wainwright was tackled into touch before, Shenton grabbed the final score of the game from a well worked scrum move involving McGoldrick.

The win secured a play off spot for the Warriors and leaves Cas still needing a win with games against Harlequins (away) and Celtic Crusaders (home).

Tigers: McGoldrick, Dixon, Evans, Shenton, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Jones, Ferres, Westerman. Subs: Clayton, Higgins, Boyle, Widders.

Wigan: Phelps, Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, S. Tomkins, Leuluai, Coley, Riddell, Prescott, Hansen, J. Tomkins, O'Loughlin. Subs: Fielden, Paleaaesina, Mossop, Flanagan.

Referee: Steve Ganson                       Attendance: 6579

Normytigers Man of the Match

1st Brett Ferres 3 points

2nd Joe Westerman 2 points

3rd Kirk Dixon 1 point