Warriors sign off in style

Pat Richards equalled the Super League scoring record as Wigan prepared for the play-offs with a 34-12 victory over Bradford.

The goalkicking winger had a rare off day with the boot, slotting over just two of his seven attempts, but grabbed two tries to reach the 14 points he needed to match the record of 388 set by former Wigan captain Andy Farrell in 2001.

Sam Tomkins, revelling once more in his roving role at full-back, caused most of the early problems for Bradford and jinked his way over for what appeared to be a trademark try only for referee James Child to disallow the score for an obstruction.

However, Wigan's early pressure paid off after 16 minutes when second-rower Liam Farrell spun out of a tackle and created the space for centre George Carmont to go over for the game's first touchdown and Richards opened his account for the night.

Bradford battled bravely but could not match the cutting edge of the Warriors, who scored a second try after 27 minutes when a determined charge from hooker Mark Riddell created the position for replacement prop Iafeta Paleaaesina to romp over.

There was an even more popular score seven minutes before the break when skipper Sean O'Loughlin's long pass found Richards unmarked and he sailed over for his 28th try of the season.

The Ireland international saw his conversion attempt bounce back off an upright and he was also off target when second-rower Joel Tomkins grabbed Wigan's fourth try two minutes from the interval courtesy of a solo charge for the line.

There was no keeping Richards out of the action as he struck for a second try just 60 seconds after the re-start, collecting Paul Deacon's precision chip to the corner and juggling with the ball before planting it over the line.

Unselfish

Richards could have had a hat-trick after 50 minutes after being sent clear by Carmont but he unselfishly passed inside to the supporting Farrell only to see the second-rower drop the ball.

Wigan looked to be losing some focus in the celebratory atmosphere, but they continued to create chances and right winger Darrell Goulding took Thomas Leuluai's cut-out pass on 68 minutes to score his side's sixth try and Richards added the conversion to equal Farrell's record.

Bradford pulled a try back six minutes from the end through Craig Kopczak, goaled by Paul Sykes, but Richards had one more chance to break the record when Goulding went over for his second of the night and his 25th of the season.

The crowd went silent as Richards lined up the conversion but it went agonisingly wide of the target to leave him sharing the record.

The Bulls then had the final say when skipper Andy Lynch grabbed a consolation try. Steve Menzies was given the opportunity to mark his final appearance for the club with the goal and he duly obliged.

Richards' exploits were witnessed by a 17,058 crowd at the DW Stadium, taking Wigan past the 200,000 mark for the season and enabling them to overtake Leeds as the best supported club in the league, and set the scene for the presentation of the League Leaders' Shield.

It is a first piece of silverware for the Wigan fans to clebrate in eight years, but Grand Final success next month is what they really crave.