'A real slugfest'published at 15:35 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
HT: England 12-12 Tonga
Matt Newsum
Commentator on BBC One
Some first half, a real slugfest at times and some moments of quality, including from Mikey Lewis on debut.
Summary
England beat Tonga 22-18 to take 1-0 lead in three-match series
England tries: King, Lewis, Johnstone 2; Tonga tries: Toa, Frizell, Koula
Remaining games in series to be played at Huddersfield and Leeds during next two weekends
'A real slugfest'published at 15:35 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
Postpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
HT: England 12-12 Tonga
Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Totally Wicked Stadium, St HelensThe Tonga fans to my right have not stopped whooping and cheering all half, waving their flags and blowing their horns.
They have brought plenty to this first Test - as have the team they are supporting.
Plenty for Shaun Wane and England to think about at the interval.
Image source, Getty ImagesHalf-timepublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
England 12-12 Tonga
And that's the hooter! Nothing in it.
MISSED PENALTYpublished at 40 mins
Isaiya Katoa
Isaiya Katoa hasn't got the juice to make it.
PENALTY to Tongapublished at 40 mins
England 12-12 Tonga
England gift another penalty right at the end - it's a shot to nothing, from a long way out. May as well.
Postpublished at 39 mins
England 12-12 Tonga
Some seriously tired legs out there. Crying out for half-time.
PENALTY - England 12-12 Tongapublished at 37 mins
Isaiya Katoa
Isaiya Katoa sizes up the chance and makes no mistake, levelling us up.
PENALTY to Tongapublished at 35 mins
England 12-10 Tonga
Tyson Frizell hits the line at a brilliant angle, bursts the England defence, and they then cough up a penalty as they try to recover.
A chance to boot this over before the break.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
#bbcrl, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)
Chris: Well I think Mikey Lewis may well be international quality! Absolutely outrageous play that.
Ben: Can always rely on a Robin, well in Mikey!
Postpublished at 34 mins
England 12-10 Tonga
Mikey Lewis had 12 tries and 19 assists in Super League for Hull KR and he's shown just what he's all about in this first half. Lightning stuff.
Postpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
England 12-10 Tonga
Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC OneCometh the hour, cometh the man. The space starts to open up, Mikey Lewis senses the opportunity. Whenever he sniffs the tryline, he goes for it.
Image source, PA Media
CONVERTED TRY - England 12-10 Tongapublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
Mikey Lewis (con Smith)
Brilliant again! Mikey Lewis dummies a pass, beats one man with a great piece of footwork and then dives under another tackle to burrow over for a try on debut.
The first of many. Surely.
Harry Smith is left with a testing kick but curls over with his left boot.
Postpublished at 30 mins
England 6-10 Tonga
Elliott Whitehead is held up just a few metres out, Mikey Lewis then beats his man...
Postpublished at 30 mins
England 6-10 Tonga
Good pressure from England, they get another set of six and pump towards the line. Can they make this count? They do get a penalty.
Postpublished at 29 mins
England 6-10 Tonga
Harry Smith puts a devilish left-footed kick right into the corner but with the sun in his eyes Starford Toa rises like the proverbial salmon to pocket it safely. Fine play.
Postpublished at 27 mins
England 6-10 Tonga
Image source, SWPIX.COMThe physicality is taking its toll as handling errors start to slip in to the England line. They're right up against it here.
Three times an internationalpublished at 26 mins
England 6-10 Tonga
Tyson Frizell is a former Australia and Wales international who qualifies via his Tongan mother and is the first player to represent three nations.
Postpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 22 October 2023
England 6-10 Tonga
Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC OneWe saw with the first try, they brought it to the left and opened up the right. This time, they bring it over to the right and that opened up the left. Great game management by the Tongan half-backs.
CONVERTED TRY - England 6-10 Tongapublished at 24 mins
Tyson Frizell (con Katoa)
What a well-worked try! Tui Lolohea threads a kick in behind on the run, and Tyson Frizell times his run to perfection to burn in behind and touch it down. A try on his Tonga debut!
Isaiya Katoa adds two more.
Postpublished at 23 mins
England 6-4 Tonga
England scramble well, Moses Suli puts in a deft kick into the corner but Tommy Makinson sweeps up well and bats it out of play. Tonga look really dangerous within sight of the tryline.