After a short turnaround from the previous weekend, Wigan played host to Widnes in the rearranged game from round two.
Both sides made changes with Wigan bringing in the younger brother of Liam Farrell, Connor alongside fellow academy product Callum Wright and the return of Josh Charnley after two months out.
Wigan had a perfect start with the opening try after only 39 seconds when dashing run by Joe Burgess allowed him to pick out Liam Farrell for the try which was converted successfully by Smith for 6-0 lead.
Widnes responded with a try from Paddy Flynn in the corner but a failed convention from Tickle meant a 6-4 score.
A superb run and kick by Dan Sarginson saw him find Josh Charnley in space out wide who went in for a try on his first game since early April with Smith converting again for 12-4.
Just after the half-hour mark the crowd greeted the arrival of Connor Farrell who was making his debut in place of John Bateman who seemed to go off with a minor injury. Wigan extended their lead after a superb kick found Joe Burgess out wide who passed to Sean O'Loughlin for a well-worked try with Smith converting for 18-4.
Josh Charnley went in again for a nice try after dash down the wing and despite a missed kick from Smith, Wigan now led 22-4. A stunning kick from Smith found Josh Charnley, with the winger racing over to complete his hat-trick followed by a conversion miss from Smith though the lead was 26-4.
Wigan added another try before the interval as as pass from Dan Sarginson found Josh Charnley who crossed for his fourth try of the evening with Smith converting for a half-time lead of 32-4.
Fans remained in their seats after the tannoy suggested a major announcement and with the rolling out of a red carpet the Wigan faithful greeted the re-signing Joel Tomkins who returned to the Warriors after a the three-year stay at Saracens Rugby union.
Wigan came out for the second half in a buoyant mood which improved when Callum Wright came on to make his debut in place of Michael McIlorum minutes later the lead extended as Dan Sarginson picked out Josh Charnley who crossed for his fifth effort of the evening and despite the miss from Smith the score was 36-4.
Widnes looked to be in danger of a repeat of last weekend's huge defeat to Hull and the potential of such a repeat became more likely after a superb run from Anthony Gelling found Liam Farrell who went over for his second try of the evening with Smith converting for 42-4.
The win was sealed after a dash from Connor Farrell saw him breakthrough the Widnes defence and with the entire home crowd begging him not to pass, he crossed for a debut try which completed a hat-trick of tries for the Farrell's. Matty Smith added the final conversion to make it 48-4.
A night at the DW that will be remembered for a long time after a five try haul for Charnley, a new set of try scoring brothers in Liam and Connor Farrell and the long awaited return if Wigan's new number 11, Joel Tomkins.
A correct result but slightly off in the 36-18 prediction.
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