Wigan too hot for Quins
Pat Richards scored 20 points as Super League leaders Wigan moved four points clear after a 36-12 win over Harlequins.
Last Updated: 26/06/10 6:04pm
Pat Richards scored 20 points as Wigan gave themselves breathing space at the top of the Super League table with a 36-12 win over Harlequins.
The Aussie crossed the try-line twice and made six successful kicks as the Warriors moved four points clear of Warrington and St Helens.
After an open start to the contest, it was the visitors who struck first at the Stoop when Sam Tomkins jinked his way over after the ball had been spread out wide by Thomas Leuluai.
Tomkins then earned a reprimand from referee Steve Ganson after illegally preventing Luke Dorn from scoring at the other end.
Both sides continued to attack in a fast-paced opening but sturdy defence meant the scoreboard was not troubled again until 25 minutes in.
Lively
After the lively Tomkins had sparked a 60-metre break, Richards stroked home a penalty to give Wigan an eight-point lead.
Joel Tomkins did not show the clinical touch of his brother, however, as he passed up a great chance when spilling the ball with a try seemingly imminent.
Joel's miserable afternoon then continued as he was sin-binned after a fracas on the halfway line.
After the half-time break, Quins began to pile on the pressure but time and again lacked creativity as they approached their opponents' try-line.
And the hosts were made to pay for their wasteful play when Darrell Goulding picked off a loose pass and raced downfield to cross under the posts.
Tries
Quins' challenge seemed to be crumbling but Jamie O'Callaghan managed to be first to a loose ball from a charged down kick to score for the hosts.
But any hopes of a comeback seemed to have been quashed when Michael McIlorum finished off a move involving Stuart Fielden and Paul Deacon for the Warriors' third try.
The hosts then hit back again through Ben Jones-Bishop, who beat the defence to O'Callaghan's neat kick before touching down.
But Richards scored a wonderful solo effort - breaking down the wing, kicking ahead and winning the race for the loose ball - to calm the visitors' nerves once again.
Richards crossed the try-line again shortly afterwards as he collected a high kick before adding the extras to that effort and Liam Farrell's late try.
St Helens, who won on Friday, were hoping for a Wigan slip-up while second-placed Warrington can again reduce the gap to two points when they face Leeds on Sunday.