Castleford Tigers: Hampshire happy to go where season takes him

Friday’s 30-16 success at the treble-chasing Challenge Cup finalists was a notable feat for Daryl Powell’s side as they started their Super 8s campaign.

Hampshire, on a season-long loan from Wigan Warriors, scored twice in the win which keeps their slim hopes of making the top-four alive.

“It was a great win and really pleasing,” he said, with the West Yorkshire club leading 24-0 on the hour mark.

“A few defensive errors and errors with the ball cost us a little in the second half but if we can knock them out that will be great. To keep the leaders pointless for more than an hour shows we’ve been working on our defence.

“I don’t think Hull were at their best, to be fair, and they might have been a bit tired after a massive game the previous week to get to Wembley.

“But we need to push on now ourselves.

“We know it’ll be tough to get in the four but this keeps us in the hunt.

“You enjoy winning, too. That’s the main thing; if we keep winning and keep enjoying it, we’ll see what happens.”

Hampshire joined Castleford as a full-back/stand-off but has played the last four games as a makeshift winger and hopes to retain his place for Friday’s visit of parent club Wigan.

He scored twice in the win over Catalans Dragons and added another double at the KC Stadium.

Asked if people might start seeing him as a wide man – the 21-year-old showed real confidence to cut inside for his first – Hampshire said: “I hope not!

“It’s good to get some tries but I’m just enjoying playing at the moment.

“With the first one, I felt quite calm finishing for that.

“At first I thought I’d go for the corner but then instinct took over and I cut back inside and finished off.

“Rangi (Chase) came up with a great ball for the second. He can do those sorts of thing so if you put yourself in the right position he’ll find you.”