Tigers fall to Warriors in Round 1

Harry Smith got us underway at the Jungle kicking to the Wheldon Road end but Innes Senior was there to collect comfortably.

Confusion occurred as Luke Hooleys kick was charged down, the referee gives six again but Danny Richardson kicks long.

Three minutes in Wigan chose to take the two points in front of the sticks, Harry Smith easily added the points to put the Warriors ahead early on.

An early kick from French bounced into the hands of Hooley, a high shot followed by Kaide Ellis gifted Cas the penalty.

Cas then had some joy of their own as a quick break from Liam Horne but cas within 10 metres of the Wigan line, a penalty for offside enabled Cas to level the scoring with a conversion from Danny Richardson.

Harry Smith put Cas under pressure with a smart kick into the in goal area, Qareqare was there to follow up and knock the ball dead.

Bevan French skipped over in attack hoping to find Adam Keighran, a flying tackle from Innes Senior forced the knock on just shy of the Tigers line.

Cas’ first major chance came 19 minutes in when a Luke Hooley kick just bounced dead as Innes Senior charged towards the ball.

The Tigers shifted right through Jacob Miller, Luke Hooley was then lifted by Harry Smith who was sin binned for tipping.

Cas created an overlap through Richardson who found Elie El Zakhem, the ball hit the floor, however the referee gave a Tigers penalty. Richardson took the advantage and took the 2pts putting Cas in front.

Liam Watts was sent back to the changing rooms after picking up a red card for a high shot, Adam Keighran then slotted the two points over to level the scores.

With six minutes left of the half a little kick from dummy half fell out of Luke Hooley’s hands and Patrick Mago was there to dive on the loose ball.

Wigan added to their tally through Bevan French as the half back cleverly found space and dived over for his first try of 2024.

With the conversion by Smith going over, the half time hooter sounded with Wigan in the lead, 16-4.

Wigan had the first chance of the half after Tom Grant gave another penalty against the Tigers, but great defence on their own line kept Wigan out.

10 minutes into the half Wigan went over for another, the extra man definitely helped as Liam Marshall crashed over in the corner. 

Near enough straight after, Wigan shifted right and an intelligent kick inside found Leeming who dived over to put Wigan even further in front. The try was converted by Smith.

A short side play gave Cas an opportunity on the left edge but Sam Wood spills the ball short of the line, the story of the second half for the Tigers.

Danny Richardson kicked into a dangerous position to give Cas a chance with 13 minutes to go but Jai Field was there to clean up the mess. Cas managed to create an overlap soon after but Luke Hooley out the back spilled the ball.

Jacob Miller showed some promise with 7 minutes remain as he danced through the line but a high shot stopped the half back in his travels, no card given.

Wigan added more points to their tally through Liam Marshall who found space down the edge and managed to dot down under the posts.

A scrappy affair for both sides saw Wigan come out on top in Round 1 of the Betfred Super League.

FULL TIME: CASTLEFORD TIGERS 4 – 32 WIGAN WARRIORS

Castleford Tigers:  Luke Hooley, Jason Qareqare, Jack Broadbent, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Danny Richardson, Jacob Miller, George Lawler, Liam Horne, Nixon Putt, Elie El Zakhem, Charbel Tasipale, Joe Westerman,

Interchanges:  Josh Simm, Liam Watts, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha

Tries: 

Conversions:

Penalty Goals: Richardson 2

Red Card: Watts

Wigan Warriors:  Jai Field,, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Brad O’Neill, Liam Byrne, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Interchanges: Mike Cooper, Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree.

Tries: Mago, French, Marshall x2 , Leeming

Conversions: Smith x4

Penalty Goals: Smith, Keighran

Sin Bin: Smith

Attendance: 10,170

Golden Gamble: 09489