Thursday 19 June 2014 00:14, UK
Wigan coach Shaun Wane was beaming with pride after watching his side go top of Super League on the day he welcomed Joel Tomkins back to the club.
Tomkins, 27, was given an ovation from the 11,638 crowd at the DW Stadium when he was introduced at half-time before taking his seat in the directors' box to watch his home-town club cruise to a 48-4 win over Widnes.
England winger Josh Charnley provided the highlight with five tries, but Wane was just as thrilled with the one scored by 18-year-old Connor Farrell, who provided the finishing touches to a comprehensive win.
I was very pleased with the way they've gone about their business. They were very professional. There were slow rucks again, but we found a way to score 48 points off the back of that.
Farrell made his bow alongside older brother Liam, the England second rower who scored two tries, while Wane also gave a debut to 19-year-old Callum Wright.
"We're in a pretty good place," Wane said. "We had two debuts today, we're top of the comp and we've signed Joel back so I'm in a good mood.
"I'm pleased Connor got over. I thought they both went really well so we had two good debuts and there will be more before the season is out."
Wigan never looked back after Farrell senior opened the scoring after just 39 seconds and they led 32-4 at the break.
"I was very pleased with the way they've gone about their business," he continued. “They were very professional. There were slow rucks again, but we found a way to score 48 points off the back of that."
Widnes looked like a team still in shock from last Friday's 56-6 home defeat by Hull. They trailed only 6-4 after winger Paddy Flynn scored their try on 10 minutes, but were totally outplayed for the next 70 minutes.
I was disappointed with some of our one-tackle stuff. We work really hard to get some field position and then switch off for one play and you're behind your posts. It's about that learning curve we're on.
"To be brutally honest, Wigan were fantastic," Vikings coach Denis Betts said. "They were red-hot at times.
"They are a clinical and skilful side and they jumped on our mistakes. Some of the kicking from Matty Smith was master-class.
"I was disappointed with some of our one-tackle stuff. We work really hard to get some field position and then switch off for one play and you're behind your posts. It's about that learning curve we're on."
Widnes, who were unable to play this game in February because of Wigan's involvement in the World Club Challenge, were without a host of senior players through injury and lost in-form stand-off Kevin Brown with a twisted ankle at half-time.
"I was looking to give Kev a break in one of these three games any way," Betts said. "He's been carrying us for a number of weeks.
"He needs to get his body back in shape and push on for the last quarter of the season. Hopefully he won't be out too long."
