Trent Barrett inspired Wigan to a fine win over Hull at the KC Stadium, putting to bed the memories of their 54-12 defeat on this ground last season.

The Australian Test stand-off was arguably the highest profile signing made by any side in the off-season and, after a spell of injury and indifferent form was finally able to justify his reputation against the Black and Whites with a brace of tries and a fine all-round performance.

Also of note was the Warriors' fifth try which was scored by Chris Ashton. The full-back was booed by his own supporters following his announcement that he will move to rugby union at the end of the season, although his performance backed up his commitment to the Wigan cause until then.

Following the heavy defeat in April 2006, the incoming former Bradford and Great Britain coach Brian Noble soon steadied the ship and this success, their third in a row, suggests the Cherry and Whites are primed for better things this time around.

Their win was more impressive as Hull - last season's Grand Finalists - came into the tie on the back of an excellent win over St Helens.

The suspended Sid Domic was their only absentee from a week ago although their performance was hugely different.

After a sterile opening during which Shaun Briscoe twice prevented Thomas Leuluai from piercing Hull's rearguard with some fine kicks, the home side edged ahead through Danny Tickle's penalty, before Barrett helped Wigan assume control.

His first try was a close-range effort off Mick Higham's pass, although his second - after Pat Richards and Hutch Maiava traded touchdowns either side of the break - was rich in quality.

Following Barrett's first, Richards then ghosted in on Hull's left to add a quickfire second and his two conversions handed Wigan a deserved 12-2 interval lead.

Maiava barged his way over after collecting Wayne Godwin's pass for a maiden try moments into the second period, only for Barrett to then kill off any hopes of a comeback.

His bullet pass sent captain Sean O'Loughlin racing into a gap, with Barrett supporting expertly to collect the return ball and crossing to the right of the posts.

Richards converted but was more tellingly registering a brace of tries for himself when he rose above Matt Sing to claim a beautifully weighted kick from the now irrepressible Barrett.

Richard Horne then saw a pass intercepted by Stuart Fielden and from the subsequent move, Bryan Fletcher was able to draw Briscoe and send Ashton flying over the line for a fifth and final Wigan try.

Richards added a fifth goal of the night for a personal haul of 18 points and although Willie Manu and Horne posted their first tries of the season for Hull as part of a late flourish, there was too little time left to cause Wigan any real concern.