By Andy Hampson, PA Sport © PA SportingLife Ltd 2001
Super League champions St Helens cruised back into third place as they overwhelmed sorry Castleford at Knowsley Road.
Saints met none of the Tigers resistance that saw them crash to a contentious 28-26 defeat at The Jungle four weeks ago as they ran in seven tries without breaking sweat.
Hooker Keiron Cunningham produced another outstanding display as the Cas defence were run ragged and youngster David McConnell capped a fine performance with a hat-trick - his first tries for the club.
The result was never in doubt after Saints cantered into a 22-0 lead inside the opening 23 minutes.
Cunningham created the opening try for winger Steve Hall in the eighth minute after a Kevin Iro break had torn a huge hole in the Cas back line.
Wales star Cunningham then created another touchdown for Sean Hoppe but referee Richard Silverwood cut short their celebrations for a forward pass.
But the home side did not have to wait much longer to extend their lead however as Tony Stewart resisted four tackles to force his way over.
Cunningham was then given the freedom of Knowsley Road to saunter over for his side's third try before McConnell sneaked in to open his account.
The returning Paul Sculthorpe converted three of the tries in what was already a match-winning advantage but Cas did manage to create some pressure and responded with tries either side of the break.
Mark Lennon grabbed the first when he slid over in the corner and former London and Warrington centre Jon Roper further reduced the arrears when he got on the end of a good move in the 48th minute.
Any thoughts of a Tigers comeback were quickly dispelled however, as Hoppe, who scored two tries at The Jungle, intercepted Adrian Vowles and sprinted over.
Sculthorpe added the extras and was soon called on to repeat the trick as Sonny Nickle powered over to put the match beyond all doubt.
McConnell was over for his second moments later. Saints then eased off the gas completely allowing the Tigers to gain some measure of consolation with further tries from the Leeds-bound Vowles and Michael Smith.
Lennon added both conversions but their defiance came far too late.
McConnell then put the gloss on the victory by responding to the announcement of his man-of-the-match award by crossing for his third. Sculthorpe's kick took his tally to six.
PA Sport © PA SportingLife Ltd 2001
Wigan kept up the pressure on leaders Bradford after surviving a second-half fight-back from battling Castleford.
The Warriors took charge early in the second period when two tries in four minutes from Paul Johnson and Gary Connolly increased their 16-8 interval lead to a commanding 26-8 advantage.
The Tigers staged a gutsy recovery and reduced the deficit to eight points but it was not enough to prevent them tumbling to a fifth successive defeat.
Wigan went in front after four minutes when a flowing move resulted in Kris Radlinski putting Adrian Lamb in for a try which Andrew Farrell goaled.
The Tigers opened their account with a penalty goal from Jonathan Roper after 14 minutes but then fell further behind when Farrell sent full-back Radlinski sprinting in for a touchdown.
Farrell added the goal and then prevented what had looked an almost certain Castleford try by pulling off a last-ditch tackle on winger Darren Rogers.
Castleford got the first of their four touchdowns in the 23rd minute when Adrian Vowles and Mitch Healey linked to put in Roper.
Wigan responded four minutes later when Mick Cassidy made the opening for Steve Renouf to cross.
Wigan's half-time lead was reduced to eight points when Roper landed his second penalty goal five minutes before half-time.
The Warriors quickly increased their lead in the second half when Dennis Betts supplied the final pass for Paul Johnson to go over.
The match looked over when Connolly's 44th-minute touchdown which Farrell improved to put the Warriors 18 points in front.
But the Tigers roared back with two tries in four minutes from on-loan signing Chris Charles and Mark Lennon, plus Roper's third goal.
Wigan made the game safe in the 66th minute when Lamb's kick to the corner set up a try for substitute winger Brian Carney.
A try by Michael Smith four minutes later was not enough to rescue the Tigers.
Warrington finished on a high by winning a see-saw clash at The Jungle.
Castleford looked favourites when they led 22-14 in the second half but the Wolves came back to make certain of finishing in seventh spot.
Castleford went ahead in the 10th minute when Mark Lennon, Mitch Healy and Jonathan Roper set up a try for winger Waine Price.
The Wolves struck back in the when Lee Briers' high kick was fumbled by Tigers full-back Jon Wells and Mark Gleeson pounced for the first of his two tries which Briers improved.
Briers increased the lead to 8-4 with a 23rd minute penalty goal.
Warrington went further ahead when former Castleford player Tawera Nikau made the opening for substitute John Clarke to score a try which Briers converted.
The Tigers cut the half-time gap to six points when Mike Eagar shot over shortly before the break.
The home side levelled 10 minutes into the second half when Michael Smith, David Bates and Dale Fritz combined to put in substitute Wayne Godwin and Mark Lennon added the goal.
Pryce put the Tigers in front seven minutes later with his second goal after good work by Godwin and Adrian Bowles.
Lennon kicked the conversion and then added a penalty goal to put Castleford eight points in front.
Warrington struck back in the 59th minute with a try by Alan Hunte which reduced the arrears to four points.
The Wolves snatched the lead when Briers' kick was fumbled by Castleford's Darren Rogers and Martin Masella pounced for a try that Briers converted.
Lennon made it 24-24 in the 66th minute after Clarke was sin-binned for obstruction.
But the game soon swung back Warrington's way when Gleeson got his vital second score and Briers made it 31-24 with the conversion and a drop goal.
Roper raced in for a late Castleford score, but it was not enough as the troubled Wolves finished an horrendous campaign on a winning note.