Warriors seal play-off place
Sam Tomkins starred for Wigan as they secured a Super League play-off place with a 29-26 victory against Castleford at The Jungle.
Last Updated: 23/08/09 9:34pm
Wigan have ensured their place in the Super League play-offs after edging a 29-26 victory against Castleford at The Jungle.
The match proved a tour de force for young half-back Sam Tomkins who scored his first hat-trick in his first season in the top flight.
Tomkins was both fleet of foot and also showed an eye for an opening as he touched down twice in the first half to give his side a 16-8 half-time lead.
The Tigers mounted a fightback in the second half but Tomkins then completed his hat-trick on 66 minutes before kicking his first-ever drop goal.
The win keeps the Warriors in fifth place in the table and also improves their chances of a home tie in the play-off.
But defeat leaves Castleford needing at least one more win from their last two matches to clinch a top-eight spot.
The home side were several cuts above the team that suffered a 76-12 defeat at Leeds last week.
However, they were still unable to profit from the weekend defeats of play-off rivals Warrington, Harlequins and Catalans Dragons.
Tomkins scored his first try after only nine minutes after picking up a loose ball on halfway after Castleford's passing went astray.
Clean pair of heels
The 20-year-old then showed a clean pair of heels to the covering Ryan McGoldrick before touching down his 12th try of the season.
Pat Richards missed the conversion but did not make the same mistake when Wigan scored their second after 22 minutes.
Thomas Leuluai was the man to touch down, the scrum-half taking a pass from captain Sean O'Loughlin before twisting and turning his way to the line.
Castleford, who had prop Mitchell Sargent placed on report for a late tackle on Tomkins, had their moments in the first half with Rangi Chase appearing particularly dangerous.
But despite putting together some well-crafted moves, they lacked the composure to finish them off.
Kirk Dixon was bundled into touch midway through the first half but the winger nevertheless scored on 27 minutes after leaping above Richards to collect Brent Sherwin's high kick and touch down.
The Tigers scored their second four minutes later after Chase and Sherwin worked the ball out wide for Brett Ferres to touch down.
But Joe Westerman failed to convert both - admittedly difficult - conversion attempts, with Wigan and Tomkins striking again just before the break.
He demonstrated exceptional footwork to jink through the Castleford defence for a superb solo try - Richards' second conversion putting the visitors 16-8 ahead.
Wigan moved 14 points clear after Leuluai forced his way over from dummy half four minutes into the second half.
Quick burst
But Castleford then scored twice in an eight-minute burst to close the gap to just two points.
The first came after Dixon again outjumped Richards to the high ball and sent substitute Dean Widders over.
Dixon then helped himself to his second of the evening after taking Ryan McGoldrick's pass before the Tigers drew level through Westerman's penalty goal.
However, Tomkins restored Wigan's lead on 66 minutes with another mazy run which completed his hat-trick.
Richards kicked his fourth goal and Tomkins made sure of the points with his drop goal, although Michael Shenton scored a last-minute consolation try for Cas.