Jacob Miller scored a hat-trick of tries as Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ resurgence under new coach Chris Chester continued with a sensational 62-0 win over third-placed Wigan Warriors at Belle Vue.
The Wildcats took advantage of a depleted Wigan side lacking 10 first-team players to claim a fourth consecutive triumph and deny the Warriors the chance to move level on points with First Utility Super League leaders Warrington Wolves.
The damage was done by half-time, when the Wildcats led 22-0, courtesy of tries from Nick Scruton, Tom Johnstone plus a double from Miller, the second of which finished off a brilliant move.
The procession continued eight minutes after the interval, Liam Finn converting his own try following a Miller 40-20, before the influential Australian half-back picked up a loose ball to register his treble.
Danny Kirmond then went over twice in six minutes, the second arriving from a Miller kick and taking Wakefield to their highest-ever Super League score against Wigan.
Ben Jones-Bishop got in on the act in the latter stages, scoring before turning provider for Max Jowitt, and Scruton also doubled his tally with six minutes remaining.
Finn was clinical with the boot, kicking nine conversions from 11 attempts, as Wigan suffered their worst defeat in Super League for 11 years.
Wigan coach Shaun Wane said: “I’m not stressed one little bit. I know what we have and where we’re at.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Wakefield, let them enjoy their day and if they want to book their coaches to London, let them book them.
“Wakefield were very good today. But I know what we’ve got in the club and how we can play so that result doesn’t stress me in the slightest. We just made it hard for ourselves by giving them too many sets and a combination of us being really lethargic, tired and lacking energy, gave them good field position.”
Wakefield coach Chris Chester said: “I thought it was going to be hell of a lot closer.
“I know they’ve been struggling with injuries and they’ve had a bug go through the camp but I certainly wasn’t expecting that scoreline.
“It just shows what a little bit of belief does to a group of players. From one to 17 today they were outstanding and what pleased me was what they did without the ball. We scored some really fancy tries but to keep a Wigan side to zero points takes a special effort.”