England 14 Tonga 4: hosts seal Test series win as Warrington Wolves' Matty Ashton stars

Matty Ashton scores the opening try for England against Tonga. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

England sealed the Test series with one game to go when they ground down Tonga 14-4 at Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon, thanks largely to a brace of tries by Warrington Wolves’ pacy winger Matty Ashton.

Coach Shaun Wane’s side will now seek to complete a clean sweep when the teams meet for the final time at AMT Headingley next Saturday. Seating tickets have already sold out for Test rugby’s return to Leeds and it should be a better occasion than the drab one at John Smith’s Stadium.

Other than England’s victory, the crowd - a disappointing 11,210 - weren’t given a lot to cheer about. Tonga had more chances than England and played some good rugby amid a succession of errors, but the hosts’ strong defence meant they were 14 points adrift before finally getting over the line for their only try.

Twelve of England’s points were scored in the first half as Ashton justified his call up in place of the injured Tommy Makinson. Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman, playing in his hometown, provided the pass for the first after just seven minutes as England benefited from a penalty and set restart.

Tonga’s touchdown came on Newman’s side of the field and he didn’t have any try-scoring opportunities, but he looked sharp with what little ball he got.