Six of the best from Tomkins
Sam Tomkins ran in six tries as Wigan started the defence of their Challenge Cup crown with a 98-4 demolition of North Wales Crusaders.
Last Updated: 15/04/12 5:55pm
Sam Tomkins ran in six tries as Wigan started the defence of their Challenge Cup crown with a ruthless 98-4 demolition of North Wales Crusaders.
The holders crossed no fewer than 18 times during a one-sided contest with Liam Farrell helping himself to a hat-trick and Josh Charnley and debutant Ryan King both grabbing braces.
Tomkins made his Wigan debut in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup in 2008 and scored five tries as the Warriors hammered Whitehaven, and four years on the full-back went one better against the Crusaders.
The game had long since ended as a contest at the break as the Warriors touched down for nine first-half tries to take a 48-0 advantage against their Championship One opponents.
King got the ball rolling with the opening try before Tomkins took centre stage - the full-back helped himself to four first-half tries, while King added another with Charnley, Joe Mellor and Farrell also going over as the Crusaders failed to plug gaps all over the park.
It continued to be one-way traffic in the second period, although the visitors did grab themselves a late consolation of sorts when Owain Brown ensured they got themselves on the board.
King crowned a memorable first start for the club with his first-ever try after fine work from Joe Mellor and George Carmont to cross in the corner.
Tomkins then came to the fore, the England international used all his skill and speed to cross over after eight minutes before scoring an almost identical try on the other side of the field eight minutes later. Josh Charnley converted two of the first three tries as Wigan led 16-0.
First-half hat-trick
Tomkins picked up a first half hat-trick with another fine run without having a finger laid on him to add to further tries from King, Charnley, Mellor and Farrell before backing up Chris Tuson to grab his fourth try.
Charnley, who took over the kicking duties from Pat Richards once more, slotted six conversions from nine attempts as Wigan streaked out of sight by the break.
Things did not improve for the Crusaders after the restart as Wigan hit them with three quick tries inside the opening 10 minutes.
Tomkins danced down the right before offloading to Charnley who stepped off his right foot to go racing in under the posts. The winger converted for a 54-0 lead.
Tuson got his reward on 43 minutes when he backed up Leuluai for Wigan's 11th try and that score was quickly followed by a second try for Farrell after astute build-up play from Tomkins once again. Charnley added the extras on both occasions.
It was getting embarrassing for the Welshmen as Farrell powered over for his hat-trick, while Tomkins then broke his try scoring record with his fifth and sixth of the game.
Logan Tomkins, Paul Prescott and Crosby all got their names on the scoresheet for Wigan as Charnley took his tally to 13 goals.
But the visitors did manage to avoid the indignity of seeing their opponents rack up three figures, just, and were given something to cheer in the final two minutes when Brown pounced on Adam Walsh's kick for their only try.
