Richards' relief at record

Modest hero Pat Richards expressed his relief after equalling Andy Farrell's Engage Super League record for points in a season in Wigan's 34-12 victory over Bradford on Friday night.

The goalkicking winger had a rare off day with the boot, succeeding with just three of his seven attempts, but grabbed two tries to take his tally for the season to 29 and reach the 14 points he needed to match the record of 388 set by the former Wigan captain in 2001.

Richards struck the woodwork with one of his four misses and thought he had converted Darrell Goulding's second try to set a new record, saying: "Off the boot I was thought it was there but then it started changing direction. I thought the touchjudges might have just given it to me anyway. It's great to be mentioned up there with Faz but I'm actually glad it's over. With all the talk about the record, I can just concentate on my job now."

Wigan had already made sure of the League Leaders' Shield before tonight but the 17,058 crowd - which took their total for the season through the 200,000 barrier and made them the best-supported club in Super League - stayed behind to watch the presentation by League chairman Richard Lewis and gave departing players Ifaeta Paleaaesina and Mark Riddell a rapturous send-off.

Warriors head coach Michael Maguire was thrilled with the reception but insisted the work has only just begun as the club prepare for the start of the play-offs next week.

"It means hell of a lot," he said. "It was great to receive the shield in front of the fans. They've been very loyal and it's great to be able to give them something back.

"We've got to make sure we take that forward but the boys have laid an extremely good platform right throughout the year.

"We're getting quite a number of players back fit so there is no reason why can't go on and win the big one. It's just a matter of continually doing what we've been doing."