Four try Tomkins inspires England
Four tries from Wigan Warriors full back Sam Tomkins helped England to a 42-4 victory over Wales in their opening game of the Gillette Four Nations.
With England heavy favourites going into the game, it was crucial for the Welsh to get off to a good start in order to put pressure on the English outfit.
However Welsh prop Jordan James lost possession from the kick off gifting England prime field position which they took full advantage of with Sam Tomkins going over after receiving a well weighted pass from Rangi Chase.
Tomkins crossed for his second try 10 minutes later after he received a short pass from Kevin Sinfield and dummied past the Welsh defence to touch down. Sinfield adding the extras from out wide.
Kirk Yeaman extended the lead on the 20 minute mark when Sinfield popped up a short pass for the centre to run on to and cross the whitewash. Yeaman’s try proved to be the final score of the half with England going in 14-0 ahead at the break.
England extended their lead to 20-0 in the second half with Tomkins completing his hat-trick after Gareth Ellis broke through the line to pass to the full back who raced to score under the posts. Sinfield adding the extras.
England added to the score two minutes later after the ball was spread wide to Jack Reed who beat the Welsh defenders to crash over.
With England firmly in the ascendency, Welsh half back Lee Briers attempted a short kick from a drop out which failed to go 10 metres resulting in an England penalty. The English punished the mistake with Tomkins going over for his fourth try of the afternoon, converted by Sinfield.
The Welsh did get on the scoresheet in the 65th minute when the ball was spread across the field to Elliot Kear who dived in at the corner to touch down. Briers missing the conversion from the the touchline.
Australian born Chris Heighington got himself on the scoresheet on the 75th minute after Gareth Widdop broke the line to put the loose forward through to score under the sticks.
Widdop went from provider to scorer after the final hooter had sounded when Ryan Hall intercepted a Welsh pass, popped the ball up for Widdop, who raced to the corner to touch down. Sinfield was successful with the conversion to leave the final score at England 42-4 Wales.
Tomkins, Hall, Reed, Yeaman, Briscoe, Sinfield, Chase, Graham, Roby, Peacock, Ellis, Westwood, Heighington
Subs: Widdop, Morley, Jones-Buchanan, Wilkin
Tries: Tomkins (4), Reed, Yeaman, Heighington, Widdop
Goals: Sinfield (5)
Jones, Kear, Webster, Roets, Williams, Briers, Seamark, J James, Budworth, Dudson, Frizell, Bracek, Flower
Subs: Watson, Divorty, A James, Kopczak
Tries: Kear
Man of the match: Sam Tomkins
Attendance: 10,377