ROUND-UP : Offiah raises Wigan

ROUND-UP

Martin Offiah scored two tries as Wigan produced another imperious performance to beat Warrington 44-2 and restore their two-point lead at the top of the Stones Centenary Championship yesterday.

The champions were too strong for a Warrington side missing the injured Jonathan Davies and summer signing Andy Currier. Shaun Edwards, who returned after missing the 52-20 demolition of St Helens last Monday, had a hand in two of Wigan's tries while Scott Quinnell gave a commanding display in the second row.

Wigan's victory was achieved at a cost, however, with the stand-off, Nigel Wright, taken to hospital for X-rays on his ankle. Wright will be out for three to six weeks.

Sheffield saw a 26-8 lead whittled down to four points before finally overcoming Castleford. It took a late try from Richard Price to settle the match.

In the First Division, Widnes had to do without Andy Platt, who was expected to make his debut for the club yesterday but failed to show up, as they overcame Whitehaven 28-6, with a first-half hat-trick from David Hulme.

But all the talk was about Platt, the former Wigan and Great Britain prop, now with the Auckland Warriors, who was expected to sign for Widnes yesterday. Jim Mills, the club chairman, said: "He hasn't been in touch but we are assured by his agent he's still keen to sign for our club."

Keighley Cougars, last season's Second Division champions, maintained their 100 per cent start by beating Hull 21-12. Andre Stoop was twice put over by the stand-off Darren Appleby, while Nick Pinkney also scored a try.

Salford ended Featherstone's unbeaten run at Post Office Road. The visitors ran out 38-16 winners to take the top place in the table, with a points difference superior to Keighley's.