Tomkins claims hat-trick in England win - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Tomkins claims hat-trick in England win

Sam Tomkins inspired England to a nine-try 48-12 victory at Brewery Field as new Wales coach Iestyn Harris launched his international coaching career in losing fashion.

He claimed a hat-trick of touchdowns, helping to guarantee the win coach Tony Smith wanted ahead of a demanding Four Nations campaign when England contest silverware with Australia, New Zealand and France.

But much of their rugby proved stilted and one-paced as Smith fielded a team without Leeds or St Helens players following last weekend's Grand Final.

Only during the closing quarter, when Wales ran out of steam, did England hammer home any true supremacy.

Tomkins (3), Tom Briscoe (2), Sean O'Loughlin, Adrian Morley, Sam Burgess and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook all breached the Welsh defence, while full-back Paul Sykes added six goals.

It was only 20-12 approaching the hour, yet England's superior fitness took a hefty toll as the clock ticked down.

For his part, Harris will feel encouraged going into a European Cup campaign that sees Wales grouped alongside Ireland and Serbia.

Craig Kopczak and Ian Watson scored tries, with Lloyd White kicking two goals, and Harris certainly has some exciting new potential to work on, but England were inevitably too strong, with Tomkins deservedly named man of the match.

Ben Flower captained Wales for the first time just two days before his 22nd birthday as the home side looked to erase memories of a 74-0 drubbing by England last year.

Tomkins and Hull wing Tom Briscoe made their Test debuts, but an experienced edge was provided by the likes of Morley and Sean O'Loughlin.

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