Wigan clinch home Super League semi-final with 11-try rout of Castleford
Cas have managed just six wins this Super League season
Wigan secured a top-two finish and a home semi-final in the play-offs after they hammered Castleford 62-6 in the penultimate round of the regular Super League season.
As third-placed Leeds were stunned by Catalans Dragons at Headingley on Thursday, Wigan went into Friday's home clash knowing a win would see them secure at least second and book a week off while the teams who finish between third and sixth battle it out in the first round of the post-season.
The Warriors put on a show at the Brick Community Stadium, running in 11 tries against a Castleford side that has nothing left to play for, with the Tigers having just six wins to their name from 26 matches this term.
Wigan boss Matt Peet opted to rotate his squad following last week's derby win over St Helens, with Abbas Miski, Jack Farrimond, Patrick Mago and Tyler Dupree replacing Adam Keighran, Harry Smith, Liam Farrell and Liam Byrne.
And the game was all-but over at half-time, with the Warriors 34-0 ahead thanks to tries from Miski, Jai Field, Liam Marshall (2) and Farrimond.
Peet's side posted five further efforts in the second half through Miski, Harvie Hill, Zach Eckersley, Field and Ethan Havard, while Muizz Mustapha scored Castleford's only try.
Wigan opened the scoring inside six minutes as Miski latched on to a neat grubber from Bevan French to score on his return to action and Field extended the lead just moments later.
Peet's side were in cruise control all game. They scored their third try midway through the first half as it went through quick hands down the left to Marshall, who scored out wide.
Marshall got his second on the half-hour mark thanks to an acrobatic finish in the corner to put Wigan 22-0 up.
Farrimond got his name on the scoresheet when he chased down his own grubber to dive over after catching the Castleford defence napping.
He converted his own try, and then repeated the feat after his second touch down of the evening just before the half-time hooter.
Wigan started the second period just as they did in the first. Miski dived over in the corner to get his second try, while Hill scored his first of the season on the hour mark to stretch Wigan's lead to 44-0.
Castleford pulled one back in the 65th minute through Mustapha, but Wigan quickly responded with a try from Eckersley.
Wigan wrapped up the demolition with two tries in the remaining eight minutes through Field and Havard.