2 years ago
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Tonga were cheered on by loud and colourful fans in the first match of their historic three Test series in England| England: (12) 22 |
| Tries: King, Lewis, Johnstone 2 Goals: Smith 3 |
| Tonga: (12) 18 |
| Tries: Toa, Frizell, Koula Goals: Katoa 3 |
England fought off an impressive Tonga side in St Helens to win the first match of their three-Test series.
Tom Johnstone scored twice in the second period following first-half scores from Toby King and debutant Mikey Lewis.
Tonga showed they will be no pushovers as the first Pacific island nation to tour England, leading early on through Starford Toa and Tyson Frizell.
Tolutau Koula added a late score for a grandstand finish, but England held on.
The series continues in Huddersfield on 28 October.
More follows.
Line-ups
England: Welsby, Makinson, King, Newman, Johnstone, Lewis, Smith, Burgess, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Whitehead, Radley
Interchange: Walker, Knowles, Hill, McMeeken 18th player: Farrell
Tonga: Hopoate, Toa, Penisini, Suli, Koula, Lolohea, Katoa, Fonua-Blake, Havili, Fotuaika, Frizell, Koloamatangi, Kaufusi
Interchange: Teaupa, Tatola, Olakau'atu, Sele 18th player: Katoa
Referee: Liam Moore (England)
English (US) ·