England claim hard-fought win over Samoa in series opener

England held disconnected a carnal Samoa broadside to assertion a hard-fought triumph successful the opening lucifer of their two-Test series.

The effect provided the hosts with a tiny measurement of revenge for their World Cup semi-final decision to the Pacific Islanders successful 2022.

First-half tries from Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton and George Williams acceptable Shaun Wane's broadside connected their mode successful Wigan, though Deine Mariner's interception effort brought Ben Gardiner's squad backmost into the contention earlier the interval.

A interruption from England skipper Williams and immoderate superb handling from Farnworth allowed Victor Radley to spell implicit arsenic England reasserted their authority.

But Samoa responded astir immediately, with Mariner, 1 of their 8 debutants, collecting the shot from Jarome Luai to people successful the near corner.

However, immoderate hopes of a comeback were extinguished by Ashton's 2nd effort of the afternoon, portion Super League's Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, besides crossed. Gordon Chan Kum Tong scored a precocious consolation effort for the tourists successful an entertaining contest.

As the timepiece ticked down, tempers flared betwixt England 2nd enactment John Bateman and Samoa's John Asiata, prompting a melee that progressive astir each 26 players. It suggested sparks whitethorn alert erstwhile the teams conscionable again successful six days' clip astatine Headingley successful Leeds.