Hampshire sees patience pay off to clinch Tigers' win over Wigan

The makeshift winger crossed in the 77th minute to, ironically, seal their 36-22 Super 8s win against his main employers on Friday.

“I was getting on at Rangi (Chase) in the second half to get some ball out to me as I’d not had a pass,” explained Hampshire.

“That was my first touch. He called the move to go back to the short side from a penalty so I thought – if I’m moaning about it – I’ve got to do something when I do get it.”

Castleford were grateful of his finish, too, as title-chasing Wigan had rallied from 26-12 down to trail just 26-22 and were pushing for a winner themselves.

Hampshire – on a season-long loan at Wheldon Road from Wigan – admitted: “We needed a score. We were doing it tough. You know Wigan are going to come at you like that.

“But we defended well in that period and did a lot better in previous games against them this year.

“As for scoring against them, I’m happy to score whoever I play against. I’ll celebrate any try I score.”

Hampshire joined Castleford as a full-back/stand-off but struggled to hold down a spot there before recently filling in out wide.

He followed up a brace in the Super 8s win over leaders Hull FC with another score on Friday and showed his defensive quality with a fine tackle to deny England winger Josh Charnley in the first half.

“I’ve seen him charge over from there a lot of times so I knew, one-on-one like that, I had to do something special to keep him out,” he said, after holding his opponent up. “Fortunately, I managed to do that.

“It was good to see all the Wigan (lads) but great, too, to actually get the win and in such a great atmosphere like that was.”

Sixth-placed Castleford head to Challenge Cup finalists Warrington Wolves on Saturday looking to maintain their 100 per cent Super 8s record.

Hampshire, 21, added: “We’re confident whoever we go up against. We know we can do it when we play well and defend our try-line properly.”