WOLVES climbed to fourth place in Super League after an impressive 43-24 home victory against rivals Wigan at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday.

Wolves were without Chris Leikvoll, who withdrew on Saturday with an Achilles problem, but the prop's absence allowed Simon Grix to make his first appearance in a competitive first-team match in 13 months.

Wigan had lost all four of their previous matches at Wolves' new stadium and, with the visiting Andrew Johns watching on from the stands, Warrington started well to put Brian Noble's side on the path to another defeat.

Chris Ashton's handling error gave Wolves possession and good hands from Lee Briers, Brent Grose and Martin Gleeson put Stuart Reardon over in the corner in the fourth minute, with Briers landing the first of his seven conversions.

Kevin Penny then added another converted try, haring 40 metres down the touchline in trademark fashion and beating Ashton after Paul Rauhihi's offload had left the Wigan defence in disarray.

The visitors responded when Phil Bailey's offload allowed Ashton to put Liam Colbon over, with Pat Richards adding the goal, but Wolves' 12-point lead was restored in the 21st minute as Briers burrowed past three defenders from close range.

Wolves then lost Rob Parker, who had to be rushed to hospital with a facial injury, but scored again as Martin Gleeson put Grose through a gap directed from a scrum.

Briers' drop goal gave the hosts a 25-6 half time lead and, although Thomas Leuluai collected Iafeta Paleaaesina's offload and stepped past Grose shortly after the interval, Wolves remained in control.

Jon Clarke stepped inside Leuluai near the line for a try with Henry Fa'afili also jinking over from close range after Darrell Goulding had scored for Wigan.

Chris Bridge stepped his way past four defenders to touch down Wolves' seventh try of the afternoon before Wigan had the last word with a second try for Goulding.

Wolves: Brent Grose (1t); Stuart Reardon (1t), Martin Gleeson, Henry Fa'afili (1t), Kevin Penny (1t); Chris Bridge (1t), Lee Briers (1t, 7g, 1dg); Paul Wood, Mark Gleeson, Paul Rauhihi, Ben Westwood, Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke (1t). Subs used: Rob Parker, Andy Bracek, Ben Harrison, Simon Grix.

Wigan: Chris Ashton; Liam Colbon (1t), Phil Bailey, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards (4g); Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai (1t); Stuart Fielden, Mickey Higham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin. Subs used: Eamon O'Carroll, Harrison Hansen, Michael McIlorum, Darrell Goulding (2t).