When you've lost your opening three Super League fixtures, the last thing that you want to be doing is coming up against the Champions, and the side who shattered your dreams at Old Trafford five short months ago.

Bottom of the table Warrington Wolves hosted the Wigan Warriors, who came into the game level top of the league with the Castleford Tigers.

Warrington would have to do without Dec Patton, his absence opening the way for Harvey Livett's first Wolves game at scrum half. Wigan were also looking patched up and were missing a number of regular first-teamers, but all eyes would be on the mouthwatering clash between England hopeful half-backs George Williams and Kevin Brown.

After a scrappy start the Warriors got the scoreboard moving on five minutes when a George Williams pinpoint accurate kick was grounded by Liam Marshall. Escare failed to add the conversion.

On thirteen a fleet of foot Morgan Escare put in a superb break down the centre of the field before being hauled down just short of the line. After a fast play the ball Wigan passed to the right and Anthony Gelling had space on the overlap to run in on the angle. Escare converted in off the upright for 10-0.

Four minutes later and the visitors were cutting the home side to shreds as an O'Loughlin bounce pass went into the hands of Marshall to go in at the corner for his second of the night. Escare converted from the touchline and it was looking like an uphill struggle for the Wolves.

Just after the half hour and George Williams was again provider as Liam Farrell hit the line at speed to take an excellent pass to go over from inside the Wolves ten. Escare failed to convert but it was all one-way traffic with Warrington putting in a massive tackling stint.

Just before the interval Warrington scored a vital, and spectacular, try with breaks from Matty Russell and Kevin Brown finding Ryan Atkins in support who clutched the ball to his chest and dove over the line. Kurt Gidley added the extra two for 20-6 at the break.

Marshall completed his hat-trick (on only his second Wigan Super League appearance) on forty seven when he picked up a loose Warrington pass on his own twenty and sprinted to the try line, outpacing the Wolves chasers. Escare added the extras and after a brief rally from Warrington at the end of the first half, the Warriors were now back in control.

On fifty-eight Jack Wells added his name to the Wigan try scorers list when he hit a Williams short pass at speed to go over under the sticks. Escare added the extras for 32-6 and it was game over.

On sixty-four Rhys Evans found some space off a Harvey Livett pass to go in on the angle and when Godley added the extras the margin was back to twenty points.

Liam Marshall got his fourth try with just over ten minutes left in the clock, this one in the left corner after a Gelling break gained field position. Escare added the extra two for 38-12.

On seventy-six Tom Lineham grabbed a late consolation try in the left corner off a Kevin Brown pass. Gidley failed to add the extras.

This was a one-sided game in favour of a Wigan side missing plenty of regular first teamers. The Wolves are getting into the losing habit and will take it to Leigh Centurions next week for what is looking like a tasty fixture at Leigh Sports Village.

A superb all round performance from Wigan will see them spend at least three nights in top spot, two points clear of the Castleford Tigers who play at Widnes on Sunday afternoon.

Wolves: Gidley (2G), Russell, Blythe, Atkins (T), Lineham (T), Brown, Livett, Cooper, Clark, Sims, Westwood, Hughes, Westerman. Subs: Dwyer, Savelio, Evans (T), Philbin.

Warriors: Escare (5G), Forsyth, Gelling (T), Isa, Marshall (4T), Williams, Leuluai, Nuuausala, Powell, Flower, Tomkins J., Farrell (T), O'Loughlin. Subs: Clubb, Tautai, Navarrete, Wells (T).

Referee: Ben Thaler.

Half-Time: 6-20.

Full-Time: 16-38.

Attendance: 11,250.