League: England salvage pride after 36-10 victory

James Roby of England breaks the line past Makali Aizue of Papua New Guinea. Photo / Getty Images

Centre Tony Clubb scored four tries as England salvaged some rugby league pride by beating Papua New Guinea 36-10 in a Four Nations test in Auckland tonight.

Both teams had already lost to New Zealand and Australia and so were out of the running for the final in Brisbane next weekend.

However, England's victory meant they avoided the wooden spoon.

While the Kumuls exited the tournament winless, they had the consolation of knowing they never gave up and were rewarded with two second-half tries.

The test was the curtain-raiser to the tournament's final pool fixture between the Kiwis and Kangaroos and was at times a scrappy affair.

Both teams made uncertain starts, with plenty of errors, although England dominated possession and territory but their lack of precision kept them from getting on the scoreboard.

The lead-up to breaking the deadlock was a head-high tackle from PNG prop Nickson Kolo on opposite number Sam Burgess on the quarter-hour.

England decided against a gift two points and their decision to run the ball paid dividends with halfback Luke Robinson nipping over for the first of his two tries.

The English struck again straight from the kickoff when a big break by winger Tom Briscoe was finished off by Clubb.

Robinson then set up Clubb for his second before the livewire half completed his own brace from a speedy crossfield run.

On the stroke of haltime, Clubb was over again, pushing his way past two tacklers to dot down and help his side to a 24-0 lead at the interval.

England went further ahead when replacement backrower Ben Harrison crashed over for a converted try.

However, that was a signal for a PNG fightback, with prop Makali Aizue powering over under the posts.

The Kumuls then scored a fine try when centre Emmanuel Yere finished off a width-of-the-field movement.

However, Clubb had the final say when he again showed his strength to get himself over for his fourth touchdown just minutes from time.

England 36 (Tony Clubb 4, Luke Robinson 2, Ben Harrison tries; Ben Westwood 3, Gareth Widdop goals) Papua New Guinea 10 (Makali Aizue, Emmanuel Yere tries; Dion Aiye goal). Halftime: 24-0.

- NZPA