A hat-trick from Wales winger Regan Grace has guided St Helens to a 36-10 demolition of Wigan in an English Super League Good Friday derby.

The Saints repeated their opening-day derby victory to go four points clear at the top of the Super League following Warrington’s home defeat to Salford. But the season goes from bad to worse for reigning champions Wigan, who are level on points with bottom club London Broncos.

Adrian Lam’s men now trail their arch rivals by 14 points after equalling the worst start by a reigning champion, set by Leeds in 2016.

The champions were boosted by the return of forwards Sean O’Loughlin, Joe Greenwood and Ben Flower at home but their problems are deep set and St Helens were only too happy to highlight them.

Captain James Roby gave the visitors the perfect start, dummying his way over for a trademark try after five minutes, but Zak Hardaker responded for Wigan.

Jonny Lomax shrugged off a series of attempted tackles to get Grace over for his first try to increase Saints’ lead, before running home in the second half.

Ex-North Queensland player Lachlan Coote added a try to his six goals.

Elsewhere, Leeds climbed off the foot of the table as a first-half masterclass saw them thrash Huddersfield 38-18 to claim their third win of the season.

Leeds were 30-0 up and in total control at half-time after tries from Tui Lolohea, James Donaldson, Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler and Tom Briscoe, and held on in the second half despite Konrad Hurrell’s injury-enforced exit.

Warrington lost 36-12 to the Red Devils, despite Blake Austin and Bryson Goodwin tries, while Hull FC thrashed Hull RK 56-12.