Tigers let half-time lead slip as Warriors secure Giants tie

The Warriors needed to beat Castleford at home and hope Huddersfield did them a favour by defeating Leeds, but the Rhinos dug deep to win it 20-16 in the dying seconds to push Wigan into second place.

Wigan dominated proceedings early on at the DW Stadium with Manfredi and Matty Bowen crossing for tries to give the hosts a 10-0 lead after seven minutes.

However, despite plenty of possession they failed to build on those scores and the Tigers made them pay as Luke Dorn dragged his team back into the contest after a fine break from Oliver Holmes, before Junior Moors also went over as the Tigers hit back to lead 12-10 at the break.

It was all Wigan after the interval, though, with winger Manfredi scoring three more tries as the home side punished the visitors by scoring twice while Denny Solomona was in the sin-bin. Further tries from Oliver Gildart, George Williams, Joe Burgess and Larne Patrick ensured an emphatic win for the Warriors, although they fell just short of pipping Leeds to first place.

Wigan took the lead via Manfredi and Bowen, the latter adding the extras to put Wigan 10-0.

Wigan’s inability to make their pressure count came back to haunt them in the 27th minute as Castleford and referee Phil Bentham ignored cries of forward from the crowd and Oliver Holmes broke through before sending Dorn over in the corner. Gale converted with the score now 10-6.

It was the Yorkshire side who ended the half the strongest and they were soon in front as the impressive Moors took advantage of some slack defending to go over moments after Liam Farrell was penalised for a high tackle on Dorn. Gale converted as the Tigers led 12-10 at half-time. Wigan were let off the hook five minutes into the second half as Matt Cook produced an amazing ball steal as Manfredi tried to clear his lines, but the second rower was hauled down.

The Warriors then turned defence into attack as they received a relieving penalty to march deep into Castleford’s half and they took full advantage as the ball was spread to the right and Burgess sent Manfredi over in the corner for his second try. Bowen converted to put Wigan 16-12 in front.

The Tigers were reduced to 12 men when Solomona was sin-binned for lying on. Wigan made that extra man count as Bowen and Burgess again combined down the right and Manfredi forced his way over.

The game was over after 61 minutes when Manfredi collected his fourth try of the night. A drop goal from Matty Smith and further tries from Gildart, Williams, Burgess and Patrick sent the Warriors into an unassailable lead as they booked a home semi-final against Huddersfield.

Wigan: Bowen, Charnley, Gildart, Burgess, Manfredi, Williams, Smith, Crosby, McIlorum, Flower, Tomkins, L. Farrell, O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Powell, Clubb, Mossop, Patrick.

Castleford: Dorn, Robson, McMeeken, Gibson, Solomona, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, Milner, Millington, T. Holmes, Moors, Wheeldon. Substitutes: Cook, Maher, Springer, McShane.

Referee: P Bentham (RFL).