First test this afternoon at Wigan. Weather fine and sunny, quite mild (I went on my motorbike!).
England (16) 34
Tries: Farnworth, Ashton (2), Williams, Radley, Lewis Goals: Smith (5)
Samoa (6) 18
Tries: Mariner (2), Chan Kum Tong Goals: Pauga (3)
Decent performance from England, despite a few dubious selections for many fans. Samoa didn't seem to wake up until they were three scores down, but showed much better in the second half, although their score-line was flattered a bit by two interception tries gifting them twelve points. I thought McMeeken, Havard and Burgess were very good upfront, and handled the Samoan big lads no trouble. Herbie was Herbie, and wasn't it great to see him playing at Wigan; what a player he is. Ashton was also excellent, and both halves had a good game.
England (16) 34
Tries: Farnworth, Ashton (2), Williams, Radley, Lewis Goals: Smith (5)
Samoa (6) 18
Tries: Mariner (2), Chan Kum Tong Goals: Pauga (3)
Decent performance from England, despite a few dubious selections for many fans. Samoa didn't seem to wake up until they were three scores down, but showed much better in the second half, although their score-line was flattered a bit by two interception tries gifting them twelve points. I thought McMeeken, Havard and Burgess were very good upfront, and handled the Samoan big lads no trouble. Herbie was Herbie, and wasn't it great to see him playing at Wigan; what a player he is. Ashton was also excellent, and both halves had a good game.
