Points machine Pat Richards stole the show as Engage Super League leaders Wigan Warriors effortlessly got back into the winning habit and re-established a four-point lead over Warrington Wolves with an emphatic win at fourth-placed Hull FC.

The 28-year-old Ireland winger brought up 100 tries for club and country since his move from Australia in the first half, and completed a third hat-trick of the season in the second, ending up with a personal haul of 26 points as Wigan put last weekend’s home defeat to Warrington behind them.

Richards, who joined Wigan from Wests in 2006, now has 360 points this season and his continued excellent form will have been a welcome boost for coach Michael Maguire, who was forced to watch the game in Australia due to a family illness.

The fact that Richards did not have to make a tackle throughout the 80 minutes was also an indication of how little Hull were able to do to stop Wigan’s dominance.

They were without seven first-team players due to injury and suspension, but would have struggled to live with Wigan with a full complement and will lose their spot in the top four if Leeds Rhinos beat Salford City Reds on Sunday.

Hull actually started impressively and had the chance to take the lead when Shaun Berrigan and Kirk Yeaman nearly combined to play Tom Briscoe in, but it was Wigan who opened the scoring through Richards.

Two penalties in quick succession allowed them to advance downfield and, after Richard Silverwood deemed that Lee Radford had hung on to Sam Tomkins for too long, Paul Deacon spotted Craig Hall off his wing and chipped a kick over his head that allowed Richards to slip in for his landmark try.

The Australian converted from the touchline and was quickly doing so again as Wigan slipped into gear.

Richards was set free down the left as Hall wandered out of position again and Carmont sent Liam Farrell in for his sixth try of the season.

Hull rallied briefly as Peter Cusack nearly went in off Richard Horne’s pass, but Wigan ruthlessly ensured the game was put to bed by half-time with two more quick tries.

The first went to Darrell Goulding, who poached his 24th score in 19 appearances this season after a long pass from Sean O’Loughlin - making his 250th career appearance.

That try was five minutes before the break and, two minutes prior to the whistle, Tomkins grabbed a fourth, spinning in after Jordan Turner had shelled his high kick.

Agar substituted the error-prone Hall at the break but his men continued to labour after the restart and fell further behind in the 43rd minute.

Turner, now on the wing in Hall’s place, was hopelessly exposed as Richards charged at him and, after he kicked ahead, Tomkins was on hand to snaffle his 19th touchdown of the year.

Richards could not be kept out of the action and exposed more flaky defence from Turner to cash in on Harrison Hansen’s pass.

After showing impressive mettle in their derby win over Hull KR eight days ago, Hull’s appetite for the battle was now long gone and Farrell powered in for a seventh try with 16 minutes left after a stunning reverse pass from Tomkins.

There was still time for Richards to add another, grounding in the corner after a Tomkins kick.