Man of Steel Paul Wellens scored four tries as St Helens crushed rivals Wigan in a one-sided derby at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The Great Britain full-back was outstanding as the champions turned on the style in the third match of the engage Super League's Millennium Magic weekend.

Played in front of a better-than-anticipated 32,384 crowd, Saints rounded off the first day's action with some scintillating play as they recorded a seventh successive win over the Warriors.

The prolific Wellens, who scored against Wigan at the same venue in the 2004 Challenge Cup final, now has 12 tries from his last five games.

Francis Meli and Matt Gidley were also on the scoresheet for Daniel Anderson's side while Paul Sculthorpe kicked five goals from seven attempts.

Wigan were a clear second best but did piece together some encouraging moves for Bryan Fletcher, Chris Ashton and Darrell Goulding to claim tries.

Both clubs were well supported in the half-full stadium but the Saints contingent were cheering first after Jon Wilkin charged down a Shane Millard kick to create the opening for the opening try.

Millard got back to halt Wilkin but Saints showed their usual cutting edge as they quickly worked the ball to the right for Meli to touch down.

The Warriors initially responded well as Fletcher broke through a Wellens tackle to score.

Pat Richards levelled the scores with his conversion but Wigan were unable to contain Saints as they upped the tempo midway through the half.

Daniel Anderson's side did brilliantly to keep the ball alive under pressure and Wellens could not be stopped as he charged through from a Jason Cayless pass.

Willie Talau set up the third Saints try after a brilliant run cutting in from the left and Gidley coolly applied the finishing touches on the right.

Stand-off Leon Pryce was the architect of the fourth try with a clever little kick over the defence and Wellens gratefully accepted to touch down.

After a lull in proceedings towards the end of the first half, Wellens completed his hat-trick within five minutes of the restart after being put free by scrum-half Sean Long.

Long left the field soon after but at 26-6, Saints looked comfortable and the result seemed beyond doubt.

Wigan gave themselves a flicker of hope when Northampton-bound Ashton followed his own kick to score.

Saints youngster Stephen Tyrer should have gathered but Ashton forced him into a mistake and the full-back reclaimed the ball to dive over.

Yet there was to be no fightback and the irrepressible Wellens helped himself to his fourth try from close range just after the hour.

Coach Daniel Anderson had wanted his side to kick for goal from a penalty moments clearer but a decision to run it paid off as Wellens celebrated again.

Wigan at least finished the stronger of the two sides and Goulding finished off a sweeping move to score after an incisive run from Australian star Trent Barrett.

Barrett went close to claiming another from a Mick Higham kick in the closing minutes but could not quite ground the ball.