Former Wests Tigers’ winger Pat Richards made a glorious return from injury on Monday, grabbing 18 points in Wigan Warriors’ 38-6 Super League demolition of Salford City Reds.
The Exiles’ star had missed four months but his two tries helped the Warriors extend their margin at the top of the table to three points.
Richards’ first came after 12 minutes, squeezing his way over in the corner, before he turned creator for Sam Tomkins just two minutes later.
Richards added his second after 20 minutes but Wigan had to wait until after halftime to widen their lead, with Darrell Goulding, Jack Hughes, Harrison Hansen and Sean O’Loughlin adding gloss to the scoreline.
On Sunday, Dean Collis was on the scoresheet for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, who secured a last-gasp 31-30 victory away at Hull KR.
The 26-year-old went over in the second half, but it was Paul Sykes’ decisive field goal that stole the points – despite ex-Canberra hooker Lincoln Withers and Wests Tigers lock Ben Galea going over for the Robins.
Just above Wakefield in the final play-off spot are Bradford Bulls who had former NRL fullback Brett Kearney on target in their 34-12 win over Huddersfield Giants.
Despite winning their past two games, the Giants were overpowered as Shaun Ainscough, Matt Diskin, Luke Gale and Kearney went over before Karl Pryce added two second-half tries.
Catalan Dragons returned to winning ways with their 38-34 triumph against Challenge Cup finalists Leeds Rhinos.
Former New Zealand international Setaimata Sa had the hosts off and running before Scott Dureau’s try put the Dragons in control and on the verge of their first win in three games.
Rhinos did mount a fightback, but Daryl Millard sealed the victory late on, with Dureau sailing over his seventh kick of the game.
Meanwhile, Willie Isa grabbed two tries – his first for Widnes Vikings – who remain bottom of the table despite their 42-16 victory over Hull FC.
On Friday, London Broncos dished out some capital punishment on Warrington Wolves as Luke Dorn notched four tries in their shock 62-18 thrashing.
With Wolves in Challenge Cup action against Leeds on Saturday, Tony Smith rested his big guns and it backfired with the hosts running in 10 tries, Michael Robertson among the scorers with former Australian international Craig Gower adding 18 points with the boot.
Also in action on Friday were St Helens, who ran in eight tries in their 44-12 thrashing of Castleford.
AFP