We knew it would be hard and so it was as Papua New Guinea (PNG) chased England all the way in the first game of the World Cup. In fact at half time PNG had the lead 12-16 scoring two tries through Jason Chan and George Keppa

But Lee Smith levelled the match with the second of his three tries to ease England nerves after the break. Martin Gleeson and Ade Gardner, with his second try of the game, helped England home to a hard-fought victory. Final Score:

England 32 Papua New Guinea 22

Scorers

England
Tries: Gardner 2, Smith 3, Gleeson Goals: Sinfield 4
Papua New Guinea
Tries: Griffin, Chan, Keppa, Aiton Goals: Wilshere 3

Teams

England: Wellens, Gardner, Gleeson, Senior, Smith, Pryce, Burrow, Peacock, Roby, Graham, Hock, Ellis, Sinfield.
Replacements: McGuire, Morley, Fa’asavalu, Wilkin.

Papua New Guinea: Wilshere, Kepa, Parker, Maori, Moore, Griffin, Peters, Aizue, Aiton, Exton, Costigan, Nightingale, Gene.
Replacements: Pora, Moni, Chan, Wabo.

Referee: Shayne Hayne (Australia)