Castleford's recovery humiliates aristocrats of Wigan

Only Wakefield and points difference separate Wigan from the foot of the Super League after a truly abject performance at The Jungle yesterday.

After leading promoted Castleford at half-time almost despite themselves, the one-time aristocrats of the code turned in an embarrassing second-half display as Danny Ward led the home side to their third win of the campaign.

"I knew it was a hard job and I knew it was going to take some time," said the Wigan coach, Ian Millward. "But I didn't think that we were going to be at the stage that we are now."

Losing Scott Logan and Harrison Hansen to early injuries did not help, but that was no excuse for the way Wigan allowed a 12-point lead - with both tries set up by the ex-Castleford star, Danny Orr - to turn into a nightmare. Waine Pryce started it with an interception try from Chris Ashton and, although the Tigers had two tries disallowed before half-time, they were the side with all the spirit after the break.

Michael Platt brought them level when he went through some woeful tackling and Paul Handforth gave them the lead when he latched on to a pass thrown onto the ground by Orr. Richard Fa'aoso and Andy Kain added further tries past some insipid defence before Pat Richards got a token effort back for Wigan.

Before the end arrived, Wigan had endured a second try from Pryce as Cas threw the ball around at will near their line. It was typical of a lack of attention to the basics by a team that will face relegation if they cannot raise their game.

"The fans are frustrated, but there's no magic wand. We've got to keep working on it to turn in round," said Millward." For Castleford, being four points ahead of a club like Wigan at this stage of their first season back in the top flight makes it look as though someone has already waved a magic wand on their behalf.

Castleford: Platt; Pryce, Shenton, Bird, Viane; McGoldrick, Kain; Sculthorpe, Henderson, Nutley, Fa'aoso, Whitaker, R.Fletcher. Substitutes used: Handforth, Dyer, Manu, Ward.

Wigan: Ashton; Calderwood, Richards, Brown, Dallas; Orr, Moran; Logan, Higham, Hargreaves, Hansen, Prescott, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used: B Fletcher, Seuseu, Tickle, Godwin.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).