After losing by a single point against New Zealand last weekend England went into this evening double-header at Coventry knowing that the final could be decided on points difference, and determined for a big win against Scotland.
Steve McCormack's bravehearts travelled to the Ricoh Arena looking to upset the sassenachs and get Scotlands first ever Four Nations points after last weekends big loss against Australia.
England were massive favourites for the win with odds as long as 33/1 on Scotland upsetting the Wall of White.
Wayne Bennett made a three changes from last weeks defeated side with Mark Percival in for Sarginson, George Williams in the half backs in the place of Widdop, and Liam Farrell in for an injured Graham.
The opening try came after six minutes and stunned England when Danny Addy found Kane Linnett to go through a gap to ground. Danny rough missed the conversion from wide left but England now knew that they were in a game.
After the early wake-up England went on the offensive, but the Scotland defence held firm.
On twenty-five Scotland scored a spectacular second try when Matty Russell grounded one-handed by the left corner flag despite the attention of two England tacklers in McGillvary and Watkins. Brough was again unsuccessful with the conversion but his side were 8-0 ahead.
Within two minutes England opened their account thanks to Elliot Whitehead when a nice passing move came off a George Williams break which saw the second rower cross. Luke Gale kicked the conversion to narrow the margin to two points.
Five minutes before the break England hit the front. A grubber from Gale was collected on the bounce by Whitehead who ran behind the sticks to touch down and give Gale a simple conversion for 12-8 at the interval.
Nine minutes after the break and Mark Percival extended England's lead when he took a George Williams short pass to cross after the Scrum half had crabbed his way across the field. Gale hit the far upright with his conversion attempt.
On fifty-five Ryan Hall made it thirty tries in thirty England games when he he took a George Williams grubber, in an acre of space, to score a simple try in the corner. From the same spot that he'd just hit the post, Gale found the space between the uprights and at 22-8 the win was secured, now it was a matter of the winning margin.
On fifty-seven Danny Brough compounded Scotland's problems when he was sin-binned for a professional foul. Within seconds Jermaine McGillvary took a Lomax miss-out pass to walk over on the overlap down the right. Luke Gale missed the conversion attempt.
Chris Hill and Sam Burgess combined for England's sixth try to put a supporting Luke Gale through a gap to ground under the sticks. Gale added the extras for 32-8.
Ten minutes from time and Dale Ferguson picked up a Scotland consolation when he went over the line on his back, and grounded the ball on the line. Brough was back out of the bin, but was unable to add the conversion.
England finished the game on the offensive, and ages after the final hooter, but on an extended last play, Liam Farrell picked up a deflected Williams kick to cross by the left upright. Gale kicked the conversion for a final score of 38-12.
After a couple of early scares it was eventually a comfortable win for England, but all credit to Scotland, who put up a brave fight and battled to the final hooter. The England camp will be disappointed at the size of the winning margin and will now be hoping that the eventual finalists aren't determined by points difference.
England: Lomax, McGillvary (T), Watkins, Percival (T), Hall (T), Williams, Gale (T, 5G), Hill, Hodgson, Taylor, Whitehead (2T), Farrell (T), Burgess S. Subs: Burgess G, Burgess T, Cooper, Clark.
Scotland: Coote, Tierney, Aitken, Linnett (T), Russell (T), Brough (SB), Addy, Walker, Hood, Douglas, Hellewell, Ferguson (T), Kavanagh. Subs: Cassel, Mariano, Phillips, Brooks.
Referee: Gerard Sutton.
Attendance: .
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