Super League: Wigan off to a flyer, Hull slip up

Wigan Warriors thrashed Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 60-12 on Friday to move level on points with Hull FC, who saw their grip on top spot loosened in a home loss to Castleford Tigers in the opening round of the Super League's Super 8s.

Wakefield were no match for their hosts at DW Stadium, where George Williams, Sam Powell, Josh Charnley, Sam Tomkins, John Bateman and Oliver Gildart all crossed in the first half, Matty Smith converting three times to give last season's runners-up a handsome advantage at the break.

Joe Arundel bagged Wakefield's only try of the first half, converted by Liam Finn, who also added the extras to Craig Hall's second-half consolation score.

It was another bruising 40 minutes for the away team after the break, as Dominic Manfredi got in on the try-scoring act, Williams and Tomkins going over again and Bateman grabbing two more to complete his hat-trick and cap off a crushing victory.

The result saw Wigan move on to 34 points at the top of the Super 8s, Hull having lost 30-16 at home to Castleford.

The Tigers remain seven points outside the play-offs but had the beating of the league leaders at KCOM Stadium.

Greg Minkin, Ryan Hampshire, Luke Gale and Luke Dorn all scored tries as Castleford led 20-0 at half-time, Hampshire bagging a second and Adam Milner grabbing one late on.

Those scores came either side of a brief attempted fightback from Hull, who saw Stephen Michaels, substitute Danny Washbrook and Jamie Shaul go over in the space of nine minutes, but it was not enough to get the home team back in the contest.