Wigan 38 Warrington 10: Five things we learned

1. It takes something special to surpass a win at Headingley, but Shaun Wane described this as Wigan’s best win of the season.

And considering the scoreline, the occasion, the 10-game run Warrington had been on and what it did to the league table, it was hard to disagree.

Their four unanswered tries in the second-half supported the train of thought that Wigan’s strong second-half performances this year is due to them wearing down their opponents earlier in the game. George Williams, Sam Tomkins and John Bateman were stand-out performers in a great team effort... missing talisman Sean O’Loughlin.

Wane conceded there were scrappy passages, but there were also some breathtaking moments. Including...

2. When Liam Marshall was unleashed on a foot-race with Josh Charnley, fans were engrossed.

Marshall peeled away from the ex-Warrior and then did everything right, feigning a pass to ensure he bit in, allowing him to then send George Williams over for a try. Marshall later beat Charnley - who had scored 12 tries in eight previous matches since returning from rugby union - to a George Williams chip for a try.

Charnley tried to make an impression against his former club, and his blazing run down the field from collecting a high-ball was one of Warrington’s better chances, but they struggled to break down Wigan’s goal-line defence.

3. This result means Wigan are now unbeaten at the Magic Weekend since 2008!

They beat Saints in Edinburgh in ‘09 under Brian Noble and haven’t lost in the annual ‘on the road’ event since, including seven matches under Shaun Wane’s watch.

Little wonder Wane is a big fan of the concept.

Golfer Lee Westwood - a Wigan fan - celebrated with them in the dressing room and banged the drum for their winning song.

4. Newcastle once again delivered.

A crowd of 38,881 watched Saturday’s four-game schedule at the sun-kissed St James’ Park - and it felt more, given the noise from the stands.

Offficials do a great job to create a carnival atmosphere inside and out.

Newcastle is a great venue for this fixture, not only the stadium itself, but the fact it is in the city - which itself is close enough for a day-trip, and attractive enough for an overnight stop.

After four years in the north east, it will be interesting to see if Super League choose somewhere new for 2019 or stick with what they have got.

“It’s fantastic, a great concept, the crowd was bouncing out there - I can’t see why you’d change it,” said Wolves coach Steve Price.

5. This was the proverbial four-pointer.

Had Warrington won, they would have drawn level on points with Wigan, in second. Instead, the second-placed Warriors have opened up a four-point gap on the chasers.

St Helens, who beat Widnes 38-18, still hold a two-point advantage at the top but Wane’s men have a game in hand. Is it too soon to declare the race for the league leaders’ shield a two-horse race?

Wigan and Warrington, of course, meet in the Challenge Cup in two weeks’ time.