England started the Tonga series with victory at St Helens in the opening test.
The hosts opened the scoring through Toby King. Mikey Lewis made a break through the Tongan defence, before being hauled short of the line. On the next play, the ball was shipped to the left where King touched down.
Tonga hit back shortly after, as Starford Tao went over in the corner. Before, Tyson Frizzell put Tonga ahead after touching down a Tui Lolohea grubber kick.
Lewis was involved again as he danced through the defence for England’s second of the match.
Three minutes before the end of the half, Tonga added a penalty to level the scores.
Tom Johnstone scored a brace in the second half. The first coming from a great pass by England captain, Jack Welsby. Meanwhile the second, Johnstone capitalised on a mistake before racing to score underneath the sticks.
Toluta’u Koula scored with just three minutes to go, to reduce the gap to 22-18.
However, England were able to hold on to the victory.
The sides will now head to Huddersfield on Saturday for the second test at 2:30PM.
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