Betfred Super League
Wigan (14) 14
Tries: Sambou, Eckersley Goals: Keighran 3
Castleford (6) 24
Tries: Mapapalangi 2, Ashworth, Lawler Goals: Weaver 4
Castleford Tigers lifted themselves off the bottom of Super League in style as they put in one of the performances of the season to beat Wigan Warriors.
The visitors led through Krystian Mapapalangi when he touched down within five minutes but Dayon Sambou put in an acrobatic finish to level for Wigan.
Zach Eckersley tipped the game in the hosts' favour but Jack Ashworth and Mapapalangi combined to hit back after the break.
The Tigers kept up the momentum as George Lawler went over as they saw out a memorable win which lifted them to 11th in the table.
Prior to Sunday's result, Wigan had won in 14 consecutive meetings with Castleford, whose most recent win against them came six years ago – a 16-12 victory at The Jungle in February 2020.
But it is almost nine years since they defeated the Warriors away from home, when they claimed a 38-20 Super 8s win in September 2017.
The result was Wigan's third successive Super League defeat and despite a promising showing with Sambou and Eckersley's scores, it was Castleford who dominated much of the 80 minutes.
Wigan, without Harry Smith and Sam Walters through suspension as well as front rower Ethan Havard because of injury, were stunned when Castleford led early on following a flowing set, with Mapapalangi exchanging passes with Jason Qareqare before running in.
The hosts almost responded through Jai Field soon after but Mikaele Ravalawa showed incredible strength to wrestle him out of bounds before he could get the ball down.
Sambou's sensational score was the pick of the first half, as he worked onto Eckersley's offload, absorbed Qareqare's tackle and outstretched his arm to ground the ball in mid-air before he went into touch.
Sambou and Eckersley linked up again shortly after, this time as Sambou beat Qareqare in an aerial battle. He tipped Jack Farrimond's kick to the corner into the path of Eckersley, who touched down for his fourth try in as many meetings with the Tigers.
Castleford's response after the break came via a clever pass from Tom Weaver as he sent Ashworth through to spin to the line under pressure from the hosts' defence.
The visitors were not done there and Mapapalangi raced down the wing as Castleford kept up the pressure, eventually receiving the ball again and chasing his own kick to ground his second try of the afternoon.
Cas asserted themselves further when Lawler powered over the line and could have put the gloss on a thumping win when Weaver went in, but his score was chalked off for obstruction in the build-up.
Wigan: Field; Sambou, Eckersley, Farrell, Marshall; Keighran, Farrimond; Eseh, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Partington, Ellis.
Interchanges: Mago, Forber, McDermott, Kerr.
Castleford: Windley; Ravalawa, McIntosh, Mapapalangi, Qareqare; Asi, Weaver; Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Mellor, Stimson.
Interchanges: Greacen, Ashworth, Hall, Hirst.
Referee: James Vella.
