Warriors storm past Dragons

Wigan put paid to Catalan Dragons' unbeaten start to the Stobart Super League season with a 36-12 victory at the DW Stadium.

The Warriors scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to break open a tight game and make sure they remain hot on the heels of table-topping Warrington.

The Dragons did a league double over Wigan last year and came into the game with the league's last remaining 100 per cent record. They seemed capable of making it four wins from four in 2012 when tries from Scott Dureau and Gregory Mounis put them 12-10 ahead at the break.

However, Wigan youngsters Jack Hughes and Josh Charnley crossed before Sean O'Loughlin's 75th-minute try sealed their fourth win from five so far.

Final nail

Super League's top try-scorer Charnley then claimed his ninth of the season to put the final nail in the Dragons' coffin, Pat Richards adding the conversion to finish with six goals from seven attempts.

In the end the final scoreline suggested it had been comfortable for Wigan, though that had not been the case during a competitive first 40 minutes.

Hughes spurned an early chance to cross for the hosts before Catalans half-back Dureau opened the scoring with a ninth-minute penalty.

Wigan's response was to come up with the game's first try, Brett Finch sending half-back partner Thomas Leuluai over in the 15th minute.

Richards added the extras but the Dragons replied with a superb effort, slick handling by Setaimata Sa and Vincent Duport on the blindside allowing Dureau to dive over in the right corner.

Opportunities came and went for Wigan before an incorrect play-the-ball by Jean-Philippe Baile deep in his own territory gave an attacking opportunity that ended with Richards overpowering Blanch to cross.

Liam Farrell stopped Jamal Fakir just short before Sam Tomkins halted Dureau down the right, but the visitors switched play to the left for Mounis to reach over after going for the line from acting-half.

Fine response

Dureau's conversion put the French side in front but Wigan responded in fine style after the break, starting with Hughes charging onto Finch's pass for the first of four second-half scores from the men in Cherry and White.

Just six minutes later and the hosts scored again, the ball being worked out wide to the right for Charnley to cross for his first of the afternoon.

Richards did well to prevent Blanch pulling a try back, forcing him into touch, before tempers flared after a high shot on Epalahame Lauaki as the Wigan forward tried to barge his way over.

The Warriors were awarded a penalty, which Richards kicked to open up a 12-point lead, and O'Loughlin backed up Michael McIlorum's break to stroll over.

It was left to Charnley to pounce on a late error for the final try of the contest, with Richards on target with the kick to finish with a personal haul of 16 points.