Wigan vs Castleford
Super League
7:45pm Thursday 12th September
DW Stadium
Castleford missed out to secure their location because Wigan beat them 26-8 at the DW Stadium.
Second place was secured by the Warriors in the table but for Cas, their season may now be finished.
They started with Hull before the last fittings and, as a consequence of this reduction, will be going on holiday on Monday when the Black and Whites beat St Helens on Friday.
Castleford’s ancient approaches seemed to be to choose anything they could and Jamie Ellis kicked a penalty, only for George Williams to respond with an attempt for Wigan.
Ellis had the chance to kick against off against the Tigers in front but he missed two more penalty attempts.
Two tries in the space of 3 minutes out of Zak Hardaker and Joe Greenwood then sealed the match for the Oliver and Warriors Gildart added a second until Jesse Sene-Lefao found for going in with all the knees Oliver Partington, red.
Morgan Smithies finished the scoring for the Warriors late on.
The Tigers took the lead in the ninth with Ellis slotting over a penalty after Wigan failed to clear the ruck and dominated the opening 15 minutes.
Whereas Peter Mata’utia and Paul McShane both created useful runs up the middle jake Trueman has been held inches short for Castleford.
Wigan turned defence with Williams stepping beyond Mike McMeeken’s attempted tackle.
A mistake in Dan Sarginson gave Castleford ownership 20 metres from the lineup of Wigan and Ellis went agonisingly close to putting his side in front following Trueman’s kick hit the post and bounced straight back to him but Hardaker was on hand to clear his lines.
Wigan found it difficult to complete their sets with Romain Navarrete of coughing possession.
Greenwood then made a dangerous speech to allow Ellis the chance to level the scores, but he sent his effort wide.
He had the chance to redeem himself to the half-time hooter, however, his punishment struck the post as Wigan led 4-2 at the rest.
Two tries in three minutes placed Wigan. Hardaker took advantage of a mistake to touch down out of his kick. He also added the extras for a 10-2 lead.
Later Sarginson left a run to put Wigan in a good attacking position, the ball had been shipped directly into the left and Greenwood was on hand to touch down at the corner.
Castleford had chances but they can find no way through the resolute defence of Wigan.
Their task was made harder for moving in along with his knees on Partington when Sene-Lefao was shipped off.
While Smithies crashed , until Cheyse Blair felt about the hooter for Castleford hardaker extended Wigan’s lead to 18 points with a penalty for messing around in the play-the-ball.
