By PETER ROWE
Tries from Andy Philbin, Ellison Holgate, a double from fullback Craig McShane and a penalty and a second-half drop goal from Danny Rowse was enough to earn the touring England Lions a 23-14 victory to take out the Cash Converters Challenge Trophy against WA on Tuesday night at Charles Riley Reserve.
The win, harder fought that game one of the two-match series, saw the tourists take the series 2-0, a result that coach Paul Couch said he could not be more happier with.
“It was what we hoped for, coming to Australia and challenging them on their own ground,” Couch said.
“A different game tonight and we had to match them in the grind at times but credit to everyone for a great job.”
After losing the first Test, WA player-coach Delane Edwards made a few changes to his side and for much of the first half they were in the race.
But errors and a lack of solid ruck defence gave the initiative to the Lions after they had fallen to an early penalty, kicked by Jaylen Grey, when Jacob Moore was caught offside 12 metres from the line.
Referee Scott Spittles penalised the visitors a number of times for offside and ruck interference but the Black and Golds struggled to take real advantage throughout the game.
The England Lions withstood a series of penalties and held up an effort across the line before halfback Danny Rowse levelled the scores after 14 minutes with a penalty.
That first try of the game came the way of the Lions on 18 minutes when Jack McShane caught the defence cold to cross from a metre out.
That first try came from a WA kickoff from Grey that was out on the full and that set the visitors up deep in WA territory.
The lead didn’t last long, as Ryan Woolley out wide on the left edge, managed to ground the ball before being pushed into touch.
Backrower Brandon White, again down that left edge, was next to cross, crashing through a hole on the half-hour mark.
But a cleverly organised kick-off that hung in the breeze was picked off by Ellison Holgate as the Lions came roaring back with Craig McShane scoring in the corner.
With momentum in their favour the Lions took advantage of poor defence, Ben Shulver’s big run up the middle eventually set up captain Chris Siddons to give Philbin his opportunity to cross from five metres out.
WA had another chance to close the gap just before the halftime siren, but lost possession as the Lions extended their lead off the back of a penalty that saw Holgate slip through the defensive line to find the whitewash.
Delane Edwards clearly had words to say at the break after his side had squandered chances and allowed their opponents to jump to a 12-point lead.
The Black and Golds pushed for points but England’s defence held firm.
“The second half was a grind at times, so we knew we had to stay in the game,” Couch said.
A call backed up by captain Siddons, who again played the entire 80 minutes.
“Very stop-start and scrappy,” Siddons said. “That happens when you are chasing the game and we were holding on to a lead.”
Big defence from the tourists held WA close to their line on a number of occasions with the intensity increasing.
Woolley should have scored after Connor Parkinson lost the ball but sliding defence forced the North Beach winger to lose sight of the football as the chance went begging.
The Lions had trouble with two line drop outs being called for offside, but again WA couldn’t find a way through.
And after several opportunities it was the Lions who added to their tally after fullback Kainoa Gudgeon was sinbinned.
The halfback, who has had a superb tour, got up and minutes later kicked the drop goal that extended the lead to a three try margin.
A man down, WA found some shape and then found the try line, capitalising on the back of another English offside call as Luke-David Wells-Talamaivao burrowed over from short metres.
Grey missed the kick and the margin was set, not to be amended for the remaining 15 minutes.
Back and forth as players tired but no points for either side as the Lions defence held firm on the back of solid game management.
WA captain Taurean Sheehan admitted afterwards the performance was much improved, but still not enough to get that victory.
“Not good enough mate,” he said.
“We completed better but the second half was a grind and while we were in the battle, we couldn’t make it count.”
The Joondalup Giants veteran admitted they found better shape when a man down, but it still wasn’t enough.
“Rugby league is a bit like that, England did the same when they had men in the bin in the last game,” he said.
“They (Lions) had a superb kicking game and we didn’t get ours working as well as they did.”
For the England coach it was the culmination of 16 months of preparation.
“It’s a credit to the National Conference League and all the player’s families that we have achieved this,” Couch said.
“We will now enjoy the remainder of the trip and the Harmony Nines at Rockingham this weekend.”
