England backed up their victory over Australia with a solid but hard fought 26-13 win over a Samoa at Twickenham.
England led 6-3 at half time from two Toby Flood penalties to one by Paul Williams, though England had a couple of scoring chances disallowed and the tackle count was 17-77.
The second half and it was the visitors who came roaring out of the blocks with Williams going over for his first international try, giving Samoa the lead 6-8. England struck straight back as centre Matt Banahan crossed from Chris Ashton’s pass and Flood converted. 13-8 England. Flood then kicked another two penalties before Tom Croft strolled in from Banahan’s intercept and Fautua Otto scored a late consolation for Samoa to give us the final score of:
England 26-13 Samoa
Scoresr
England
Tries: Banahan, Croft Cons: Flood 2 Pens: Flood 4
Samoa
Tries: P.Williams, Otto Pens: P.Williams
Teams
England: 15-Ben Foden, 14-Chris Ashton, 13-Matt Banahan, 12-Shontayne Hape, 11-Mark Cueto, 10-Toby Flood, 9-Ben Youngs; 1-Andrew Sheridan, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-David Wilson, 4-Courtney Lawes, 5-Tom Palmer, 6-James Haskell, 7-Hendrie Fourie, 8-Nick Easter (capt).
Replacements: 16-Steve Thompson, 17-Dan Cole, 18-Dave Attwood, 19-Tom Croft, 20-Danny Care, 21-Charlie Hodgson, 22-Delon Armitage.
Samoa: 15-P Williams; 14-D Lemi, 13-G Pisi, 12-S Mapusua, 11-A Tuilagi; 10-T Lavea, 9-K Fotualii; 1-S Taulafo, 2-M Schwalger (capt), 3-A Perenise, 4-F Levi, 5-K Thompson, 6-O Trevarinus, 7-M Salavea, 8-G Stowers.
Replacements: 16-T Paulo, 17-C Johnston, 18-I Tekori, 19-A Aiono, 20-J Polu, 21-J Helleur, 22-G Williams.
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRE)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis (IRE) & Cobus Wessels (RSA)
TV: Giulio De Santis (ITA)