Event of the Day: Wigan Warriors versus Castleford Tigers
Our event of the day is the Super League semi-final between Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers at the DW Stadium in Wigan. The two teams last met in August, with today’s hosts victorious on that occasion. Wigan had raced into a 20-0 halftime lead, and despite a spirited fightback from Castleford, the damage had been done and they slipped to a 24-22 defeat. A similarly tight encounter is predicted today. It promises to be an emotional day for all involved with Wigan Warriors, as head coach Shaun Wane leads the side out at the DW Stadium for the final time. Wane played for the club in the 80’s, and has worked his way up to the top job having been youth coach and assistant manager. He has already had a highly decorated coaching career, but will be desperate to go out on a high by adding another Super League title to the two already won with Wigan in 2013 and 2016.
With home advantage, this is the perfect opportunity to give Wane a big send off. Last season was the first time in four years that Wigan had failed to reach the Grand Final. Their absence was filled by today’s opponents Castleford, making their first Grand Final appearance. They go into the semi-final off the back of a humbling 26-0 defeat to St Helens last week. However, Castleford had won five on the bounce prior to the St Helens loss, and a number of first team players had been rested with today’s fixture in mind. Captain Michael Shelton was one who missed out last week, and he should return to the side today. With a place in the illustrious Grand Final tantalisingly close, the stakes could not be higher.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Premier League fixture between Brighton and West Ham at the Amex Stadium. Big spending West Ham have started to find their feet this season after a sluggish start, and are now unbeaten in their last three outings. Hosts Brighton meanwhile are without a win since their impressive victory over Manchester United on the second day of the season. Further football action comes from the Bundesliga, where Werder Bremen welcome Wolfsburg, whilst in La Liga, Real Sociedad travel to Athletic Bilbao. Tennis action continues in Beijing with the fifth day of the China Open. On the ATP World Tour, it’s also the fifth day of the Rakuten Japan Open. The LPGA Tour is on display in Korea, whilst the European Tour stops off in St Andrews. Elsewhere in the UK, Bath host Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground in the Gallagher Premiership. In LA, the Los Angeles Kings begin their NHL campaign at home to the San Jose Sharks at the Staples Centre. Additional sporting action in the States comes from Fenway Park, where the first match in a Best of five MLB playoff series between two great baseball rivals – the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees – commences. The second day of the First Test between India and the West Indies gets underway in Rajkot.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Super League