England beat Samoa in rugby league to sweep the series 2-0

LEEDS, England (AP) — England clinched a rugby league series against Samoa after winning the second test 34-16 at Headingley on Saturday.

Center Herbie Farnworth scored two tries and set up another for Jack Welsby as the home side followed up last week’s 34-18 win at Wigan with a further six tries.

Harry Smith’s penalty for England opened the scoring after Luciano Leilua was booked for a high tackle on opponent Victor Radley, but Leilua quickly made amends at the other end with a well-weighted strike which was superbly collected by Shawn Blore to brand.

England scored 20 consecutive runs in the rest of the half.

Liam Marshall marked his international debut with a try after coming in from the left wing to break two tackles and stretch over the line.

Junior Pauga was then sin-binned for a forearm to the head of John Bateman and England took full advantage of the extra man.

A superb dummy from captain George Williams allowed the game to exploit a big hole in the Samoan defense to score untouched, followed by a cut back pass from Smith which set up Matty Ashton to dive in the corner.

Pauga came back in the final five minutes but could not prevent England’s fourth try when Farnworth scored from a brilliant solo effort from over 40 yards. Smith’s extras made it 22-6 at the break.

Samoa made the brighter start to the second half and quickly reduced the deficit. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s initial break was stopped and his attempted offload went to ground, but Welsby failed to hack the loose ball into touch and Jake Tago pounced to touch down over the line.

England responded superbly to restore their 16-point lead after a period of pressure close to the Samoan line, Farnworth blasting over some poor tries to score his second try and Smith converting.

Only a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Tuivasa-Sheck prevented Junior Nsemba from extending the home side’s lead, but Farnworth was proving almost unstoppable and the center left two defenders behind before setting up Welsby for the easiest score.

Jeremiah Nanai collected Jarome Luai’s neat strike to score a late consolation try for Samoa.