Been told the commentators on Cas tigers radio thought Tommy had got it down and were surprised when it was given as held up. Hopefully next time we play each other we'll both be at full strength. Sad but funny at the end when half a dozen Cas players were on crutches celebrating at the end.

I couldn’t have been in a better spot mate (just up from the fence and dead in line) and he absolutely got it down. Some you win and some you lose though.

Good to see plenty of youngsters on show tonight. I’m a big fan of Trueman and I thought Woods and Paisley went pretty well for us. I was speaking to a Cas fan coming off and said I feel you flying under the radar will be good for you this year. Keep the expectations down and use last years experience to drive you.

Who is that Hamlin? Punched a few holes though us tonight.

No, you absolute cockwomble.

It has something to do with BOTH of the teams that play at our stadium vacating it for the required 7 weeks, for the new hybrid pitch to be laid and to bed in.

The reffing of the game tonight was pretty awful, I have to say.

Someone needs to confiscate Child's whistle at some point - He's far too attached to it.

I have no idea about the Clubb try (although it did seem to me that he either scored or was held up, so why was the play restarted 1m from the line?).

However, the Leuluai try was 100% grounded.
Trouble was that the In-Goal TJ turned his back and started running away from the ball as Tommy was grounding it, so couldn't see.

I also have no idea how Cook got that yellow, considering that JC had his back to it (too busy running back in to position), and his TJ didn't seem to offer him any advice.
So how does "I have no idea what happened" turn in to a sin-binning.

Once again, it turned in to the James Child show.

All that being said - Decent game, but a disappointing result.

With the sides both of us had out on the field tonight it was a gutsy performance from both teams. I can't comment on the Cook sin binning as I was in the WRE so too far away to comment, and Hitchcox tackle in the air I couldn't really tell if it warranted a sin bin as it looked from where I was that they were both contesting for the ball. Clubb looked to me like he grounded the ball but was then dragged back before the officials saw, so thats why he wasn't took back to restart play (I think with a video ref it would have been given). I thought 18-18 would have been a fair result, but to hang on and get the win being down to 12 was a massive effort from our lads tonight. I'd like to think that we'll meet with full strength sides later on in the season, now that will be a cracker of a game if it happens. Hamlin looks like he's gonna be a good lad too, I thought he ran the ball well tonight for you. Overall a good game which could have been better if Childs could leave that whistle alone! He was garbage for both teams tonight I thought

Young Aussie lad, signed from Souths reserves. He runs the ball in like his life depends on it which is great to see.

Seen a few of the usual moaners on the other Wigan forum questioning why we would sign a young kid from Oz no better then our own recently. Well tonight he proved he’s clearly in front of some of our own. If you looked at him tonight in comparison to Callum Field it was chalk and cheese. He isn’t perfect Hamlin but he looks a fine prospect to me.

Poor decision making and execution cost Wigan the game.
12 - 10 up and didn't take the penalty in front of the posts.
Escare clear in the first half and didn't back himself, but Cas bombed a try in the second half when the Cas player passed instead of just putting the ball down.

Tommy Leuluai was definitely a try, right in front of us. I can't comment on the Clubb no try as it was at the other end.
Sam Powell scored but was disallowed and Wigan given a penalty.

The disciplinary will sort out the crusher tackle and the Isa one, I don't know what happened on either.

I've just watched the mini highlights on Wigan t.v. There is no difference at all in the obstruction given against Sam Tomkins that led to the winning penalty and Cas's first try.

Yeah I thought Hamlin went pretty well too. I'll withhold judgment until I've seen the game back, though; especially in away games standing behind the goal I find it hard to judge the match. I'm afraid my instant verdict was no more sophisticated than, we went sideways much too much, and our wingers scored two belting tries, showing what they can do if they get the ball in space. Earlier in the season we were pummelling sides in the second half, but not tonight; Cas had the go-forward (helped by penalties on occasion). I wonder why nobody in SL took a punt on QLT until now; he's over 30 now I believe. He did drop one or two, though.

From the other end of the pitch, I thought it looked a long way out, but perhaps not.



I don't know why Escaré didn't just pin his ears back and go for it. And why the Cas guy passed when he could have virtually fallen over the line himself I cannot understand.

So are you saying because of this every year you get a run in that is mainly home games when you know how many you need to win. sorry cockwomble but do you rent it from the football team or not?

you're not kidding mate, great to see and loved Clark for Cas as well. Another Powell find from the lower divisions.

Was Hamblin the short blond stocky guy, was it No 30?
Gave us a lot of problems at times.
Great game due to the closeness, could have gone either way to be honest.
Could not see the Cook incident but Isa was straight in front of me. Sin bin at worst I would say.

If all that you’re bothered about is the current state of our ground sharing and who rents off who then you seriously need to have a word with yourself. It isn’t the first time I’ve seen your, frankly embarrassing comments on here.

Grow up man.

It was Isa who injured Hitchcox in that collision wasn’t it?

I keep seeing people on social media saying it was Tomkins but I guess they maybe weren’t at the game.

FWIW Kear & co on 5 live xtra had clubb's effort as a try and were surprised it wasn't given.

I have to be honest, as I've said earlier in the thread - it was a try in my opinion. Clubb got dragged back after grounding it before the officials got a view of it so all they saw was the ball grounded short of the line. From where I was stood in the Weldon Road End I had a clear view and put my head in my hands when I saw it grounded. When it was signalled short I couldn't believe it and said 'we've dodged a bullet there'

Yes it was Isa, not sure there was a great deal of malice in it.

Hamlin looks a good find. Reminds me a little of Matt Cook for us. Not the biggest but drives it in well and always gives his all. Wasn't a quality game last night but for a neutral watching they probably would have enjoyed that. Childs was poor all round. Just no real consistency from him at all. Hopefully next time we meet both teams will be at full strength or as close as can be.

Seen the replay now (Hitchcock put it on his instagram) and I think Willie will be lucky to avoid a ban.

Do you honestly think that? Very clumsy and 100% pen but he’s just ran into his legs really.

Cas fan on the VT claiming Isa tried to kill him. Embarrassing.

I’m not sure Isa tried to kill him.
I think the problem with the tackle is exactly what you describe. Isa isn’t challenging for the ball, so what exactly is he doing? As you say, he’s just run into a player’s legs whilst he is in the air, which is pretty dangerous as it’s going to tip the player and mean he lands in a dangerous position. It was stupid and unnecessary.

Well if he was carrying a machete he may have been trying to kill him. lol. In slow motion he seems to shoulder charge Hitchcocks legs when he's at the highest point of his jump. Its a high speed, high contact game but Willie must have realised how much damage he could cause with his action.
Anyway as always thanks for travelling over in such numbers, you'll always be welcome and recognised for that. We try to do the same.

Don’t know if there was any intent to injure Hitchcox but he’s finished up with muscle torn from the bone and 2 small fractures at the bottom of his spine!!!!
Doubt he’ll play again this year..........

That’s sad for the lad, particularly as he’d already been told he won’t be retained by Cas for next season. I wish him well.