Rugby League: Betts brace helps Wigan pull clear: Leaders have field day

WIGAN scored nine tries as they moved two points clear at the top of the Stones Bitter Championship with a 52-22 defeat of Salford at Central Park yesterday. Va'aiga Tuigamala and Denis Betts both scored twice, and Jason Robinson and Martin Offiah also touched down as Wigan took a 36-0 half-time lead.

Andy Gregory, the former Wigan player, inspired a Salford fightback as Scott Mahon (two), Nathan McEvoy and Phil Ford scored tries, but Wigan recovered their composure and Gary Connolly, Martin Offiah and Jason Robinson all crossed.

Frano Botica, the Wigan stand-off, could be out of first- team action for up to six weeks after he withdrew from the side during the pre-match warm-up with a stomach problem.

St Helens also scored nine tries to move within a point of second-placed Bradford by beating them 51-12 at Odsal. Fourth-placed Warrington ran in 11 tries as they beat bottom club Workington 64-12.

A 30-18 home win over Sheffield put fifth-placed Leeds two points clear of Yorkshire rivals Castleford, who suffered a surprise 35-28 defeat at Doncaster.

Hull moved off the foot of the table by winning 29-22 at Wakefield, which was their first victory of the season. Scrum-half Terry Smirk, who recently took over goal-kicking duties, landed six goals and a drop.