Wigan

The result was Wigan’s third successive Super League defeat and despite a promising showing with Sambou and Eckersley’s scores, it was Castleford who dominated much of the 80 minutes.

Wigan, without Harry Smith and Sam Walters through suspension as well as front rower Ethan Havard because of injury, were stunned when Castleford led early on following a flowing set, with Mapapalangi exchanging passes with Jason Qareqare before running in.

The hosts almost responded through Jai Field soon after but Mikaele Ravalawa showed incredible strength to wrestle him out of bounds before he could get the ball down.

Sambou’s sensational score was the pick of the first half, as he worked onto Eckersley’s offload, absorbed Qareqare’s tackle and outstretched his arm to ground the ball in mid-air before he went into touch.

Sambou and Eckersley linked up again shortly after, this time as Sambou beat Qareqare in an aerial battle. He tipped Jack Farrimond’s kick to the corner into the path of Eckersley, who touched down for his fourth try in as many meetings with the Tigers.

Castleford’s response after the break came via a clever pass from Tom Weaver as he sent Ashworth through to spin to the line under pressure from the hosts’ defence.

The visitors were not done there and Mapapalangi raced down the wing as Castleford kept up the pressure, eventually receiving the ball again and chasing his own kick to ground his second try of the afternoon.

Cas asserted themselves further when Lawler powered over the line and could have put the gloss on a thumping win when Weaver went in, but his score was chalked off for obstruction in the build-up.

Imagine being sent out on a one-week emergency loan – and the only game you stand a chance of playing in is one of the biggest of the season, against your new club’s bitter rivals.

Then imagine scoring your first Super League try, on debut, to put your side in front with three minutes left.

Then you score another try moments later, with a driving run from the halfway line, to seal the win.

And there is a reasonable chance you will never play for that club again.

That is the reality for Bill Leyland, whose sensational late double earned St Helens a sensational comeback win over Wigan Warriors in a Good Friday derby for the ages.

Leyland only joined injury-hit Saints from Hull KR earlier this week and almost did not pull on the Red Vee at all, finally taking to the field when Daryl Clark was subbed off following a head knock.

But in just over 20 minutes, Leyland made his mark, as Saints overturned a 14-point deficit to beat the Cherry and Whites by 10 points after scoring four tries in the final 10 minutes.

“It’s a pretty special debut in one of the biggest games in rugby league. To get two tries and man of the match is a pretty special feeling,” the 23-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I’m glad to go out and make an impact and bring so much joy to the fans.”

Wakefield Trinity fought back to edge a fiercely-contested West Yorkshire derby with Leeds Rhinos, while Super League leaders Wigan Warriors made short work of Bradford Bulls in round four of the Challenge Cup.

Following a lengthy delay caused by a power failure at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield took the lead through Harvey Smith.

Leeds hit back through two tries from in-form Maika Sivo and one from Ash Handley but Oliver Pratt’s score on the stroke of half-time reduced Wakefield’s deficit to two points at the break.

Matty Storton sent the hosts in front and Ky Rodwell went over to make sure of a 24-14 win and confirm Wakefield’s place in the quarter-finals for the second successive season.

Leeds have now failed to reach the last eight since winning the competition in 2020.

Wigan overpowered Bradford at the Brick Community Stadium, scoring first-half tries through Luke Thompson, Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall.

Adam Keighran added a fourth for Warriors before Ethan Ryan scored Bradford’s only try and debutant Dajon Sambou completed the scoring to round off a 30-6 win for the home side.