Wolves show champion class

Warrington moved three points clear at the Super League summit after a dominant 24-6 victory over champions Wigan.

Winger Joel Monaghan scored two tries as the Wolves produced a hugely impressive display in front of a crowd of more than 21,000 at the DW Stadium.

Wigan were completely outplayed in every department of the game and on this evidence Warrington look hot favourites to claim their crown in November's Grand Final.

This game was widely tipped as a preview of the Old Trafford showpiece but Wigan struggled to match their visitors' intensity right from the kick-off.

The first try arrived seven minutes in after a high shot from Andy Coley on Richie Myler gifted Warrington good attacking field position. Moments later the ball was shipped seamlessly out wide and Matty Blythe was in at the corner, with Brett Hodgson knocking over a touchline conversion.

Josh Charnley twice knocked on two Lee Briers high kicks but both times Wigan survived close to their own sticks.

And they levelled midway through the half when Brett Finch scored on debut, the Australian half-back collecting his own grubber kick after a ricochet off the foot of the post to score.

Advantage line

But Warrington continued to dominate, getting over the advantage line on almost every tackle.

Their second try was almost a mirror image of the first only this time in was Monaghan in at the same corner from Blythe's pass, with Hodgson converting from an identical position.

Wigan finished the half pressing following Sam Tomkins' 40-20 but Warrington's defence proved as impressive as their attack.

The first score after the break was to prove crucial and it went Warrington's way. Again Charnley failed to deal with Briers' kick and this time it proved costly, as Monaghan leapt highest to collect and score.

Ryan Hoffman had a try ruled out by the video referee for a debatable George Carmont knock-on but with Wigan getting increasingly desperate, the contest was settled 15 minutes from time when Sean O'Loughlin hurled out a speculative long pass and Myler raced forward to claim the ball and run 60 metres to score under the posts.

After early-season wins over St Helens, Leeds and now Wigan, Warrington look very much the real deal. For the moment, the champions' only consolation will be the knowledge that Super League titles are not won in the spring.