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Wigan Warriors are four points shy of the Super League summit, but there is no doubting who the best side in the competition are at present. The Challenge Cup winners delivered another masterclass against a title rival, dismantling Wakefield Trinity with some style.

Wigan were magnificent at ­Wembley a fortnight ago and the odds on them adding at least one more ­trophy this year should really be shortening by the week. They were at their brilliant best again in dispatching a Wakefield side who beat the reigning champions, Hull KR, last week and sat third going into this round.

But they found out the hard way about the steps they still need to take to become a realistic title contender. The Warriors won with style to secure their sixth win in seven games, the only blot on their book being the defeat to Hull KR the week before Wembley when they rested their whole first team.

Young winger Noah Hodkinson, the latest of a Wigan production line that is arguably the best in Super League, stole the show with four tries, but this was an all-round ­accomplished team display. ­Victories of this magnitude in this part of the world are much harder to come by these days. This was a statement.

For most of the first half, this was a closely contested game, but by half-time, the vistors had moved themselves into position of real dominance thanks to some individual brilliance from their key players.

The Warriors took an early lead when a wonderful piece of play led to Liam Farrell crossing for his 150th Wigan try, but Wakefield responded superbly as ­forward Matty Storton crashed over the line from close range.

Max Jowitt missed the conversion, but eight minutes later he was on target with a penalty that restored parity at 6-6.

At that point in proceedings, with the half-hour mark approaching, it felt like a fair scoreline. But Wigan upped the tempo in the 10 minutes before the interval to such an extent that Wakefield had no answer for, with three tries in that period to move into complete control.

It was forward Junior Nsemba who was hugely influential in all three of them. He was causing mayhem down Wakefield’s right defensive edge, with three defenders trying and ­failing to shut Nsemba down, allowing him to create the space for Hodkinson to cross for his first try in the corner.

Two minutes later, a wicked Harry Smith kick took a fortuitous bounce for the visitors and while Wakefield scrambled break to halt that break, they were powerless to prevent ­Oliver Partington from crossing seconds later in far too much room. Suddenly, Wigan led 16-6 and more was to ­follow before the break.

It became three tries in eight ­minutes as Wigan struck another ­telling blow, with Nsemba again punching holes in the defensive line to allow the Warriors’ left edge to combine and allow Hodkinson to finish well for his second to make it 20-6.

Trinity had to score first after half-time. There were a couple of half-chances for the hosts, but Wigan showed their ruthless edge once again with their first foray into Wakefield territory. Jack Farrimond’s perfect kick was claimed by Hodkinson, who rounded Jowitt to complete a wonderful hat-trick and open up a 20-point lead.

How did Wigan respond? By bringing Super League’s best player, Bevan French, off the bench as he continues his return from injury. Within two minutes of his entrance, Jake ­Wardle sauntered over for a try before another exceptional finish from Hodkinson led to his fourth, with 20 minutes still remaining.

French then produced a wonderful pass for Zach Eckersley to cross and make it 42-6 and while Trinity responded with a late try through Tom Johnstone, it was Wigan who had the final say as French sent Farrell across for his second.