Sam's the man as Wigan reach playoffs - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Sam's the man as Wigan reach playoffs

By Tom Reynolds 24/08/2009 07:42:02 AM Comments (0)

Sam Tomkins' stunning hat-trick guaranteed Wigan's English Super League playoff spot as they inflicted more misery on Terry Matterson's Castleford side with a 29-26 win at the Jungle.

Tigers were on the end of a 76-12 thrashing against Leeds last week and 20-year-old Tomkins' man-of-the-match display ensured another pointless evening for Matterson's men.

Former New Zealand Warriors star Thomas Leuluai also scored twice for Brian Noble's side to seal their play-off spot but Tigers have yet to secure theirs.

Warriors looked on their way to a comfortable win when they led 22-8 early in the second half but tries from former Parramatta Eels star Dean Widders and Kirk Dixon helped put Tigers level.

But 20-year-old stand off Tomkins wasn't going to be denied and added his third try and a calmly struck drop goal to seal the win.

Bradford kept their slim hopes of a playoff spot alive with former Manly duo Chris Nero and Steve Menzies among the scorers in a 42-18 defeat of Catalan Dragons.

Ex-Parramattas second row Glen Morrison also crossed as the Bulls cruised past their French opponents for their third win on the spin.

On Saturday, Kiwi international Brent Webb notched four tries as Leeds thrashed beleaguered Celtic Crusaders 68-0 to secure top spot on points difference.

Crusaders - with six youngsters in their side after six key players were found not to have valid visas this week - were overrun by the Rhinos for whom Kevin Sinfield kicked his 1,000 goal for Leeds.

Keith Senior and Jamie Peacock also grabbed doubles as Leeds ran in 13 tries in total.

Winger Francis Meli spared St Helens' blushes as they came from behind to defeat a second-string Huddersfield side 12-10 at Knowsley Road.

The ex-New Zealand Warriors man had seen two tries wiped out by the video referee before making it third time lucky ten minutes from time.

Giants coach Nathan Brown made eleven changes to his side with one eye on next week's Challenge Cup final at Wembley - but Huddersfield's reserves got off to a flier.

Hooker Shaun Lunt touched down within five minutes before winger Leroy Cudjoe burst through the Saints rearguard.

England winger Ade Gardner launched the St Helens comeback just before the half-time buzzer but the Giants held a 10-4 advantage at the interval.

Mick Potter's men were a different side after the break with former Newcastle Knights centre Matt Gidley scoring in the corner before Meli broke Giants hearts late on.

Wakefield guaranteed their play-off place with a 40-28 victory over Challenge Cup finalists Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Ex-Manly half-back Michael Monaghan was one of five try-scorers for the Wembley-bound Wolves.

But it wasn't enough to prevent Wakefield taking the points back to Yorkshire as Dale Ferguson, one-time Sydney Roosters hooker Sam Obst (2), Luke George (2) Sean Gleeson and Dale Morton all registered scores for John Kear's man.

Former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Shaun McRae's troubles increased at Salford as they slipped to a narrow 14-10 defeat against Hull KR.

A hat-trick from Craig Hall eased Hull FC to a comfortable 26-6 victory over Harlequins at the KC Stadium.

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