Wigan2 8 Castleford 16: Richards adds poise to Wigan power

Remarkably, by winning their opening two games of the season, Wigan last night equalled their best start since 2001. In those seven years, the Warriors' performances have been consistently inconsistent. So the victories over Harlequins and Castleford represent measurable progress for their loyal fans.

But it is off the field where the signs of progress are even more obvious. Last night's bumper crowd of 16,667 confirms that the Premier League status of Wigan Athletic has not affected the town's love for its rugby club.

For the opening 20 minutes Castleford were under the cosh but Wigan only had a penalty goal from Pat Richards to show for their considerable efforts. Amazingly, with almost their first attack of the match, the visitors scored the game's opening try, when a break by Ryan McGoldrick was backed up by Peter Lupton who touched down.

The home side continued to dominate possession, but in their anxiety to score with every play, Wigan made endless mistakes. But with the very last play of the half, they tried the route-one approach. Trent Barrett's huge hanging bomb was clutched out of the night sky by Richards who easily outjumped the Tigers' full-back Luke Dorn to score. His conversion gave Wigan a two point advantage at the break.

With their first attack of the second half, Wigan scored again. McGoldrick fumbled James Leuluai's kick and Liam Colborn scored in the corner. In Wigan's next attack, Leuluai scythed through the Tigers' defence to score beneath the posts.

Tom Haberecht's try for Castleford on the hour mark gave them hope, but Leuluai went over for his second try. Mark Leafa responded with a try but with 10 minutes remaining, Wigan knew they had already done enough.

Wigan: Mathers; Colbon, Goulding, Carmont, Richards; Barrett, Leuluai; Coley, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hansen, Bailey, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used: Hock, Prescott, McIlorum, O'Carroll.

Castleford: Dorn; Owen, Shenton, McGoldrick, Wainwright; Thackeray, Sherwin; Leafa, Henderson, Korkidas, Guttenbeil, Lupton, Westerman. Substitutes used: Higgins, Huby, Haberecht, Fletcher.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham).