England squeeze past canny Scotland in Coventry

As the Four Nations tournament bandwagon rolled out of the rugby league heartland and into the Midlands, Andrew Riley runs the rule over the England win at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry

After an opening 20 minutes that saw Scotland lead the third best ranked team in the world here in Coventry coach England coach Wayne Bennett was not a happy man post match…

“Just pleased with the win that is all you can say about it. We were bad, we weren’t good in the first 20 minutes. we got closer to what I expect in the second half. I want them to play to their ability and they were a way off that.” he said.

Asked if any players had played themselves out of contention for the Australia match: “A couple of them probably have, yes.”

“George Williams was good but can play a lot better than he did tonight, too. They have got a bit of thinking to do, they need to have a look at themselves.”

The match itself was a shocker.

The Scottish side looked the more dangerous for periods and thoroughly deserved their 0-8 lead after 20 minutes, with captain Danny Brough unusually wayward with the boot, missing both conversions after scores by  Kane Linnett and Matty Russell, Russell’s effort looking like he should be performing in a circus as a contortionist, rather than a rugby league player!

How on earth did Matty Russell score this Try?#4Nations pic.twitter.com/aZ2Gd8eiNr

— NRL (@NRL) November 6, 2016

England looked like they were still in the hotel relaxing until Elliott Whitehead crossed for the first of his pair before the break to give England a foothold in a game that looked like it might just slip away from them.

With Luke Gale on kicking duties, at the break England were lucky to be leading.

Whatever Bennett said during the break, it seemed to have some effect, as the side looked more motivated and alive in the second half than they did for the entire 80 last week and opening 20 this.

Brough may well have missed his conversions, but his kicks for territory were outstanding. His boot helped keep the Scots defence solid and ensured that England had to do all the hard graft up the middle of the field if they wanted to win this first ever game between the two nations.

However, it was Mark Percival who went over after six minutes of the second half, George Williams with the shimmy that left the Scottish defence looking elsewhere as his feet looked like a blur, and it was Gale’s turn to miss and England were 16-8 up.

Williams, later named man of the match, was the pivot around everything that looked good about the England attack.

For Ryan Hall’s try, his 30th in 30 tests, Williams again with a grubber kick that split the Scots apart and allowed Hall to score and extend the lead, Gale converted in fine style to make the scoreline 22 – 8, heading into the final quarter.

England never really looked back from there, with Scotland losing Brough for 10 minutes in the sin bin after a professional foul, the home side

England took immediate advantage with Jermaine McGillvary crossing on the right wing, after some slick passing from Jonny Lomax. Gale missed the extras.

Scotland were visibly beginning to tire, and losing Brough at that stage was a real blow.

Sam Burgess broke through the middle to put Gale through on 62 minutes with the halfback also adding the extras to make it 32 – 8.

#4Nations

Today's attendance at the @RicohArena is 21,009. Thank you very much for your support ?? pic.twitter.com/nXk6shqeK7

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) November 5, 2016

But Scotland geed by the return of Brough, had a resurrgence, and Dale Ferguson scored their third try in the 69th minute.

Brough missed the fairly straightforward conversion, leaving the scoreline 32 – 12 with 10 minutes left.

Scotland went to sleep in the last two minutes, and successive penalties allowed Liam Farrell to score a final try after the hooter had gone.

It leaves England with an uphill task of reaching the final at Anfield. They need to beat Australia at the Olympic stadium next Sunday by at least 12 points to stand any chance of progressing, and qualification could yet be decided bythat points difference, but on this display, Australia will run riot unless Wayne Bennett can work miracles.