Third-placed Wigan romped to an eight-try victory over St Helens to close the gap at the top of the Super League.

The Warriors moved to within three points of new leaders Bradford, with Saints demoted to second on points difference.

For Wigan, Australia's Julian O'Neil raced in for three tries, with Sean O'Loughlin, Andy Farrell, Jamie Ainscough (2), and David Hodgson also going over.

Man-of-the-match O'Neil also kicked eight goals for a personal haul of 28 points while Martin Gleeson scored the visitors' only try.

Wigan could even afford to lose skipper Farrel to injury at half-time as they repeated their Challenge Cup victory over the Saints.

The home side raced out of the blocks and amassed a 38-8 lead at half-time before consolidating their position after the break.

In the remaining two matches of the regular season, Wigan must travel to Bradford on 14 September before hosting Leeds at the JJB Stadium a week later.

The Grand Final will be played at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium on 19 October.

Wigan: Radlinski, Ainscough, Connolly, Hodgson, Carney, O'Neill, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, C. Smith, Cassidy, Tickle, Farrell. Replacements: O'Loughlin, M. Smith, Howard, Sculthorpe.

St Helens: Albert, Gardner, Gleeson, Newlove, Stewart, Sculthorpe, Higham, Britt, Cunningham, Nickle, Bennett, Stankevitch, Shiels. Replacements: Ward, Martyn, Hoppe, Joynt.

Referee: Russell Smith (Castleford).