Wigan Warriors recorded their first home Super League win of the new season with a convincing 44-10 win over the Bradford Bulls at the JJB Stadium on Saturday evening.

The victory was the second in the space of seven days following the success at Harlequins.

The win was another huge boost for confidence and for the fans after a shaky start to the season at the JJB ahead of two games on the road at Leeds and Salford.

The Warriors ran in seven tries in a wonderful display with a double a piece to Gareth Hock and Harrison Hansen while Richards ,Carmont and Paleaaesina were the other Wigan try scorers.

Wigan gave both Shaun Ainscough and Sam Tomkins a start, Tomkins first after impressing off the bench at Harlequins last week, Michael McIlorum returned to the nineteen following his one game suspension. Bradford were unchanged from the side that lost at home to Huddersfield. Although they lost the services of both hookers Terry Newton and Wayne Godwin during the game through injury.

Wigan looked to put some pressure on Bradford in the early stages, a Sam Tomkins high kick was knocked on by Rikki Sheriffe. From the scrum the Warriors tested the Bulls defence but were unable to cross for a score.

The home side got their opening points on 9 minutes, a great pass from George Carmont in the middle of the park opened up the Bradford defence and Pat Richards raced through from 30 metres out for the try. Richards himself added the goal to make it 6-0.

On 17 minutes the Warriors were in again, this time a quick play the ball by Mark Riddell saw Wigan go blind side and Gareth Hock this time was able to take advantage to score. Richards hit the extras, 12-0.

Bradford rarely threatened as Wigan looked solid in defence.

On 39 minutes Wigan crossed for a crucial score, again a break down the left as Gareth Hock drew full back Platt and centre George Carmont was on his shoulder for the Warriors third try of the half to open up an impressive lead. Richards made it three from three, 18-0 at the interval.

Brian Nobles men were quick out of the starting blocks and forced an early goal line drop out. A penalty goal off the boot of Richards on 44 made it 20-0 and meant the Bulls required four scores.

Gareth Hock wasted a great chance on 48 minutes, he managed to break free down the middle, he had support either side and it looked a certain score but he chose to hang on and his eventual pass was wasted.

Bradford responded with a counter attack and it was Rikki Sheriffe with the Bulls first score on 50 minutes, a try out wide after good work by Jeffries. The goal was missed by Deacon from out wide.

Hock made up for his error with his second try shortly after on 53 minutes, sheer persistence and power to drive over out wide. Richards goal made it 26-4.

The cherry and whites were on a roll and clever work by Sam Tomkins pushed Harrison Hansen into a gap for try number five of the evening. Richards added the conversion, 32-4, game over.

Hansen doubled his tally for the evening, Mark Riddell with the break and Hansen in support. Pat Richards struck the goal, 38-4 with fifteen minutes left.

Bradford by this stage could do very little and Iafeta Paleaaesina made their night even more miserable with Wigan’s seventh try on 70 minutes. Richards struck his eight goal, 44-4.

A late Steve Menzies try was little more than consolation for the Bulls and Paul Deacons goal made it 44-10.

The fans stood up to applaud a good overall team performance and one which clearly puts the message out that Wigans season is now very much up and running.

Wigan Warriors: Pat Richards, Amos Roberts, Phil Bailey, George Carmont, Shaun Ainscough, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Mark Riddell, Stuart Fielden, Gareth Hock, Joel Tomkins, Sean O'Loughlin
Subs: Andy Coley, Michael McIlorum, Eamon O'Carroll, Harrison Hansen

Tries: Pat Richards, George Carmont, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Harrison Hansen(2), Gareth Hock(2)
Goals: Pat Richards(8)

Bradford Bulls Michael Platt, Rikki Sheriffe, Paul Sykes, Chris Nero, Semi Tadulala, Ben Jeffries, Paul Deacon, Sam Burgess, Terry Newton, Nick Scruton, Steve Menzies, Matt Cook, Glenn Morrison
Subs: Wayne Godwin, Michael Worrincy, Craig Kopczak, Matt James

Tries: Sheriffe, Menzies
Goals: Deacon