Tonga's Addin Fonua-Blake is tackled by England's Harry Newman & Tom Bateman. Photo: photosport
England clinched a series win over Tonga with a game to spare by winning a rain-soaked second test 14-4 on Sunday.
Matty Ashton scored two first-half tries on his second England start as Shaun Wane's dominated early on to lead 12-0 at the break.
Tolutau Koula's second-half try in the left corner briefly raised hopes of a Tonga fightback.
However, England held firm to triumph in another bruising encounter at John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield.
While the wet conditions contributed to a scrappy affair, they did little to dampen the aggression of two sides who clearly felt they had a point to prove after England's 22-18 victory at St Helens just under a week ago.
Comments from the Tonga camp about ruck speed and suggestions they had effectively beaten themselves only served to motivate the hosts, with Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis showcasing their burgeoning partnership in the halves and Harry Newman excelling.
Newman's fine pass sent Ashton over in the right corner, while the Warrington winger then added to his tally in superb fashion - beating Will Hopoate to Lewis' grubber and touching down in the same spot.
The physicality of the contest saw England's Victor Radley and Tonga captain Addin Fonua-Blake both take huge blows during the first half when the Pacific islanders appeared to struggle to keep their emotions in check.
The aftermath of a coming together involving several players on the left touchline, after Ashton's outstanding tackle to deny opposite winger Koula in the corner, was one key flashpoint and the mounting penalty count worked in England's favour.
While Smith's boot kept the scoreboard ticking over for Wane's side, Tonga struggled for field position early on.
Unsurprisingly for a team packed with NRL stars, Kristian Woolf's side did carry a greater threat as the second half progressed, with only some resolute defending from Tom Johnstone and Lewis preventing Dion Teaupa and Tui Lolohea from scoring before Koula went over in the corner.
However, Tonga were unable to add to their tally and conjure up memories of the nerve-shredding 2017 World Cup semi-final, when they almost defeated England in a gripping finale.
- This story was first published by BBC
