Farrell fashions Wigan reprisal

Wigan exacted revenge for their Challenge Cup defeat at the Boulevard in March, producing their most spectacular rugby of the season so far to stay on top of Super League. Inspired by a commanding performance from their captain, Andy Farrell, Wigan ran in eight tries, many of them of a quality that deserved far more than a crowd of 8,000 to see them.

Wigan's dominance was all the more startling for coming after Hull had made them look vulnerable in the first quarter. They subjected Wigan to early pressure and it was against the run of play that the home side took the lead with a Farrell penalty. It was also a Farrell break that saw Mick Cassidy sell a dummy for Wigan's first try, but Hull hit back quickly, Tony Grimaldi slipping a superb pass for Steve Collins to score.

That was the point at which Wednesday night's exertions - a hard-fought draw with Bradford - began to take effect. Gaps started to appear and Wigan were ruthless in exploiting them with some of the most incisive rugby you could wish to see.

Frank Endacott seems to have found the key to getting the best out of Simon Haughton and his break set up Jason Robinson for Wigan's second try. Then Haughton scored himself, from an exquisite pass from Farrell. The stand-off was in an imperious mood and he made Wigan's half-time lead even more overwhelming when he sent Kris Radlinski over.

It continued after the break in much the same vein, Hull giving up possession from Luke Felsch's knock-on and, from the scrum, Lee Gilmour exploited the blind side to send Brett Dallas racing away. Terry Newton burrowed his way over from close range before Adam Maher figured prominently in a defiant little flurry from Hull, setting up a try for Richard Horne and scoring one himself.

In between, Wigan provided a reminder of why they already had this game won with a quite magnificent try, Farrell's long ball and Radlinski's inside pass giving Steve Renouf a sight of the line that was all he needed.

Doubts were raised about Renouf's value to Wigan when Hull's Brian Carney caught him with ease in the cup tie between the two sides. Renouf took an interception 10 yards from his own line yesterday and Carney caught him again, but only after he had got the ball away for Robinson's second, Farrell's ninth goal from 10 attempts bringing up the half century.

Wigan Warriors: Radlinski; Dallas, Renouf, Gilmour, J Robinson; Farrell, Peters; Malam, Newton, Cowie, Cassidy, Haughton, Betts. Substitutes used: O'Connor, Hodgson, Davies, Chester

Hull: Sammut; Carney, Collins, Simon, Bird; Horne, W Robinson; Hick, Jenkins, Broadbent, Maher, McDonald, Grimaldi. Substitutes used: Felsch, Gene, Wilson, Maiden.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford).