England trounce Kiwis to seal Four Nation's final berth

ENGLAND have sealed their place in the Four Nations final after defeating the Kiwis 28-6 infront of a 23,447 crowd at KC Stadium.

The Poms produced a disciplined display to dominate the match from the out set and control the tempo of the contest.

England were given their first shot at the New Zealand tryline in the opening ten minutes courtesy of a penalty against Ben Mateilino. However, the Poms butchered the opportunity with a forward pass on the last tackle.

The Poms continued to squander opportunities as the half progressed despite dominating field position and possession. They were finally rewarded for their dominance in the 28th minute when Tom Briscoe scored. Kevin Sinfield added the extras to extend the lead to six.

England were over again seven minutes later through James Graham but were denied a try by the video referee who ruled that he was held up by Simon Mannering.

With a few minutes left in the half, the Kiwis were finally giving a shot at the England line on the back of a knock on by Graham only ten meters out from his own line. However, a forward pass by Benji Marshall on the last took the Poms off the hook.

Sinfield extended the English lead to 8 on half time, after the Poms were awarded a penalty.

England came back from the break even stronger, scoring in only the 45th minute through Ryan Hall off their first real try scoring opportunity in the second half. Sinfield's boot did the job again to extend the lead to 14.


England continued to dominate as the half progressed while the Kiwis struggled. However, a try to Jason Nightingale in the 61st minute on the back of two consecutive line dropouts put the Kiwis back in the contest. Marshall added the extras to put New Zealand within 14-points of the lead.

Despite conceding a try, the English attack and defense continued to fire up, forcing a line dropout only a minute after the try and placing the Kiwis on the back foot. A penalty to the Poms in the 67th minute enabled Sinfield to extend the lead to 10. 

The Kiwis were given an opportunity to hit back only minutes later, however two repeat sets just were not enough, with Tom Briscoe pulling off a controversial strip and running 70 meters before being tackled.

England rushed to take advantage of the scattered Kiwi defense with James Graham scoring in the 72nd minute to put the result beyond doubt. Sinfield added the extras.

The Poms were over again five minutes later, this time it was fullback Sam Tompkins scoring under goal posts. Sinfield converted the try giving England a 28-6 lead, with a few minutes of play left.


Steve McNamara will be happy with his sides performance, their team work was exceptional. For the Kiwis, their halves really struggled to take control of the game and while their forwards were 

Match Details
England 28 defeated New Zealand 6
Four Nations - Four Nations Week 3 - Sunday November 13, 2011 5:00am
Venue: KC Stadium, Hull
Referee:
Video Referee:
Touch Judges:
Crowd: 23447
Halftime: England 8 New Zealand 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Kevin Sinfield (4 Conversions, 2 Penalty Goals)
2 Points - Tom Briscoe (1 Try)
1 Point - Ryan Hall (1 Try)

ENGLAND (28)
Tries: Tom Briscoe, Ryan Hall, James Graham, Sam Tomkins
Conversions: Kevin Sinfield (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Kevin Sinfield (2/2)

NEW ZEALAND (6)
Tries: Jason Nightingale
Conversions: Benji Marshall (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Hey folks and welcome to KC Stadium where Great Britain, take on New Zealand.
1 min: Benji Marshall kicks off to bring the match underway.
2 min: Both sides have no dramas completing their opening sets.
6 min: Ben Matelino is penalised for a high shot and the Poms will get a piggy back up the field.
7 min: The Kiwis survive, after the referees find a knock on in the final tackle.
11 min: England will get another piggy back up the field after receiving a penalty on the first tackle. The penalty is the least of the Kiwis' problem with Locke off the field with a shoulder injury.
12 min: The New Zealand goal line defense survives again, with Gerard Beale cleaning up a Great Britain grubbe.r
13 min: Brisco comes up with an intercept to give the poms possession on halfway.
18 min: After an ill disciplined start, the Kiwis have settled down and are spending more time in the England half.
20 min: A great break by Sam Tompkins places the Poms in primed field position on tackle two.
22 min: England will get a line dropout and another shot at the Kiwis line.
23 min: A poor pass by Newman hands possession back to the Kiwis.
24 min: New Zealand receive their first penalty of the game and will go right on the attack.
25 min: England the survive the raid on their line after Benji Marshall grubber bounces dead.
27 min: England receive a penalty 20 out from the Kiwi line.
30 min: TRY
England spread it out wide and the quick passing creates an overlap on left side and Tom Briscoe scores. Kevin Sinfield adds the extras.
England 6-0
34 min: Locke is pinned for a knock on only ten out from his own line.
35 min: Possible try to James Graham for the poms.
35 min: NO TRY! Simon Mannering does well to hold Graham up over the line.
36 min: The Kiwis will get out of their danger zone courtesy of a penalty on their own ten meter line.
37 min: James Graham is pinned for a knock on after trying to diffuse a Marshall kick.
38 min: Marshall is pinned for a forward pass on the last tackle and England are off the hook.
40 min: PENALTY GOAL
England receive a penalty 15 out on half time and opt to go for the two. Sinffield has no problems kicking the penalty goal.
England8-0
41 min: The second half is under way!
42 min: Good sets to open the half by both sides.
43 min: England will go right on the attack after New Zealand concede their 9th penalty.
44 min: Ryan Hall may have scored for the Poms here.
46 min: TRY
TRY! Sinfield goes to the air and Reed is there to claim it for the Poms, he passes to Westwood who offloads to Hall who scores in the right corner. Sinfield nails the conversion from the sideline.
England 14-0
47 min: Chase is pinned for a forward pass a couple of meters into the Kiwi half.
49 min: Tom Briscoe steals the ball from Elijah Taylor and England survive after three repeat sets at their line.
50 min: Graham loses the ball only 30 out from the Kiwi line.
55 min: The Kiwis receive a penallty a few meters out from their own line.
58 min: Carvell attempts to offload on halfway and Locke dives on the loose ball.
59 min: The Kiwis force a line drop out and will get a shot at the England try line.
60 min: The Kiwis force another line dropout after a well placed grubber by Benji Marshall.
61 min: Jason Nightingal may have scored for the Kiwis here.
63 min: TRY
TRY! The Kiwis spread it out wide quickly and Nightingale does well to score in the corner for the Kiwis. Marshall converts the try.
England 14-6
64 min: England force a line dropout after a nicely weighted kick by Rangi Chase and Hall traps Nightingale in goal
67 min: PENALTY GOAL
England receive a penalty 20 out and England opt to go for the two. Sinfield kicks the goal again.
England 16-6
71 min: New Zealand get a tackle restart 40 out from the England line.
72 min: New Zealand get a penalty and six again ten out from the Kiwi line.
72 min: Briscoe pulls off a one on one strip and runs 70 meters before being tackled. The Kiwis are all over the shop.
72 min: Possible try to James Graham here.
74 min: TRY
TRY! Graham is not denied this time, the try is awarded. Sinfield adds the extras.
England 22-6
78 min: TRY
TRY! Sam Tompkins scores under the goal posts. Sinfield adds the extras.
England 28-6
80 min: The Kiwis receive a penalty as the full time siren sounds.