Wigan face Warrington in Grand Final thanks to semi-final win over Castleford

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

Sam Tomkins put in a commanding display to help Wigan beat Castleford to reach the 2018 Super League Grand Final.

The Warriors beat Castleford Tigers 14-0 in the semi-final at the DW Stadium on Friday night to get to the Super League Grand Final.

They will face neighbours Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford next Saturday, October 13.

Shaun Wane made four changes to his Wigan side that beat Hull FC last week. Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Tomkins, Ben Flower and Tommy Leuluai replaced Taulima Tautai, Josh Woods, Gabe Hamlin and Craig Mullen.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell also made four changes to his outfit that eased past St Helens last time out. Greg Minikin, Jake Trueman, Will Maher and Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e made away for Greg Eden, Michael Shenton, Mike McMeeken and Oliver Holmes.

Joe Greenwood came close to scoring for Wigan early doors but strong defence kept him out and Castleford half-back Luke Gale was caught up in a controversial incident with Dom Manfredi in the tenth minute after he caught the Wigan winger with a swinging arm, but only a penalty was given.

The Warriors opened the scoring through Leuluai, who wriggled his way between two Castleford defenders to score on his 250thappearance for the club. Sam Tomkins added the conversion to give his side a 6-0 lead.

Tomkins put Wigan 7-0 ahead at the interval thanks to a drop-goal in the final minute of the half.

Wigan started the second period in fine fashion. Tomkins was having an incredible and he pierced a hole in the Tigers defence to dive over.

Tomkins added a penalty goal on the hour mark for Wigan after Adam Milner failed to clear the ruck. Wigan were 13-0 ahead and front that point on they never looked like losing.

Tomkins, who has recently been called up to the England squad, added another one-pointer to seal Wigan’s ninth win in a row with a 14-0 win over Castleford in the semi-finals.

Wigan: Tomkins; Manfredi, Gildart, Sarginson, Davies; Williams, Leuluai; Navarrete, Powell, Flower, Greenwood, Bateman, O’Loughlin. Subs: Escare, Sutton, Clubb, Farrell.

Castleford: Mata’utia; Clare, Wardle, Shenton, Eden; Roberts, Gale; Watts, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Massey. Subs: Webster, Milner, Sene-Lefao, Clark.

Starman: Sam Tomkins could have played in a dinner jacket, he was THAT good. He could just be the difference in them lifting the trophy next week.

Attendance: 13,461