Pat Richards scored a try and five goals to give Wigan a 38-20 win over Harlequins on the Warriors' return to JJB Stadium.

The home side had taken the lead but the Londoners hit back to lead 16-6 after 35 minutes and looked like causing a sizeable upset.

But two quick tries gave the Warriors a 18-16 lead at the half-time interval and four second-half touch downs ensured the points stayed with Wigan.

Mickey Higham opened the scoring for Wigan after six minutes, Richards goaling, but the hosts could not find a second try to increase that advantage.

Instead Quins drew level thanks to Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Henry Paul adding the extras, and the visitors soon hit the lead when Joe Mbu touched down.

It looked as though Harlequins would take their lead in at half time when Tony Clubb got over the line, Paul kicking his second goal, but Wigan had other ideas.

Richards reduced the deficit with a try and a goal before edging Wigan ahead on the half-time hooter by converting Joel Tomkins timely score.

Gareth Hock touched down moments after the restart, and a try from Thomas Leuluai along with two from Daryl Goulding and a pair of goals from Richards gave Wigan a 38-16 lead.

With the game now over as a contest and just minutes left in the game Clubb added a second try to reduce the deficit and ensure Harlequins had the final say.

Wigan - 38

T: Higham (6); Richards (38); Tomkins (40); Hock (41); Goulding (45, 75); Leuluai (58)
G: Richards (7, 39, 40, 42, 59)

Harlequins - 20

T: McCarthy-Scarsbrook (20); Mbu (23); Clubb (35, 77)
G: Paul (21, 36)

HT: 18-16

Ref: I Smith

Att: 11,453