Warriors in control

Wigan have consolidated their Super League lead in style thanks to a 48-24 victory over Hull on Friday night.

The Warriors scored eight tries in a clinical display, in which any fears of a hangover from their second-half collapse at Bradford last weekend were dispelled by half time.

Hull came into the match with the chance to go top of the table themselves but were soon on the back foot as tries from Pat Richards, Darrell Goulding, Martin Gleeson and Amos Roberts built Wigan an 18-point lead at the interval.

Fast forward 40 minutes and all Wigan's backs had got among the tries with Richards, the League's leading scorer, rounding off the evening with another 20-point haul.

Warriors coach Michael Maguire responded to last week's defeat by dropping Paul Deacon and Iafeta Paleaaesina, with Cameron Phelps back from injury and installed at full-back.

Warm welcome

Meanwhile, the return of Sean Long to his home town was met with boos every time he touched the ball - Hull's new captain also suffering a cut head but still grabbing a consolation try five minutes from time.

The first points came courtesy of the boot of Richards, who kicked a penalty on 11 minutes before scoring the game's first try four minutes later after skipper Sean O'Loughlin's pass gave him an unopposed run in.

Goulding, switched to centre in place of the injured George Carmont, extended their lead midway through the half after wrong-footing the defence with a 180-degree turn and fending off two tacklers to touch down.

Hull were already second best but they struck back with a try of their own from Richard Whiting, who finished off a break from the dangerous Richard Horne.

The centre could then have scored a second - Whiting instead dropping a return pass from winger Craig Hall.

Wigan soon scored their third, however, with Gleeson taking Joel Tomkins' pass and side-stepping his way over.

Phelps was then denied by a marginal forward pass but Roberts soon got on the scoresheet - helped, it must be said, by a kind bounce following O'Loughlin's chip over the Hull defence.

Richards kicked his fourth goal before the interval, with the second half being just six minutes old before Wigan extended their lead further.

Centre stage

The Warriors ran a penalty close to the line and used swift hands to work the ball out wide to create a big overlap for Sam Tomkins to send in Goulding for his second try.

The former then took centre stage, at first demonstrating quick feet to touch down and then following his own grubber kick to claim a second - Tomkins producing a man of the match-winning performance.

Hull winger Craig Hall scored in the 68th minute but Phelps completed the rout when he finished off another glorious move inspired by Tomkins - Richards also kicking his eighth goal.

The visitors were long beaten but at least came back with two late tries through Long and Horne, with ex-Wigan forward Danny Tickle kicking his fourth goal.