Exciting half-back Sam Tomkins grabbed his first engage Super League hat-trick as Wigan made sure of their place in the play-offs with a 29-26 win over Castleford.

The fleet-footed 20-year-old demonstrated his opportunism and eye for an opening to set another remarkable landmark in his first season of Super League.

Tomkins touched down twice in the first half to give his side a 16-8 interval lead and completed his hat-trick on 66 minutes to end a brave fightback by the Tigers before completing his own contribution with a first-ever drop goal.

Kirk Dixon scored a brace and Brett Ferres, Dean Widders and Michael Shenton also contributed tries for Castleford, but Thomas Leuluai's brace helped ensure the points went to the visitors.

The win keeps the Warriors in fifth place, improving their chances of a home tie in the play-offs, while Castleford were left needing at least one more win from their last two matches to clinch a top-eight spot.

Bradford's recent renaissance continued with a comprehensive third successive victory but an engage Super League play-off berth still looks almost certain to be beyond them after a 42-18 win against Catalans.

The resurgent Bulls effectively secured their fourth win in five games by half-time after running in four first-half tries from Sam Burgess, Rikki Sheriffe, Chris Nero and Steve Menzies.

Catalans led when Sebastien Raguin touched down but they capitulated after influential England prop Sam Burgess came off the bench to cross the line in the 18th minute.

Sheriffe, Nero and Menzies added further scores before the break and the Dragons' pitiful resistance allowed Wayne Godwin, Paul Sykes, Paul Deacon and Glenn Morrison to go over in the second half.

The result takes Bradford to 21 points but they must beat Salford and Hull in their two remaining games and hope other results go their way if they are to secure an unlikely top-eight finish.