ST HELENS – Dom Young stole the show in Sheffield, scoring four before half time to help England to their record World Cup win as they ran in 17 tries to defeat Greece 94-4.
The Newcastle winger is fast becoming the favourite of the local crowd, and this performance, admittedly against the overmatched Greeks, was another showcase of his skillset.
Not since Martin Offiah has a player shown this combination of speed, charisma and pure tryscoring ability, a crucial combination in building consciousness of the game beyond the traditional rugby league heartlands. Despite the experience and careers of others in this team, Young is clearly the star turn.
Penny for the thoughts of Ryan Hall, who scored two more to extend his international record to 39 and close in on Mick Sullivan’s all time record of 45 at international level, but not might get a chance to feature later in the tournament, such is the form of Young and first-choice winger Tommy Makinson.
The other breakout star, Victor Radley, was watched on by over 50 members of his family in South Yorkshire, but departed early with an arm injury. It was the only lowlight for Shaun Wane on a day where England surpassed their 76-4 win over Russia in 2000 to post a new World Cup record.
For Greece, even being here, playing a World Cup match against the nation that founded the game, is a win. They started well and grabbed a smart try through Siteni Taukamo, but as the game wore on, they couldn’t cope with the contact and line speed of England.
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It was that defensive attitude that created the first try. Matty Lees forced an error out of Nic Flocas, then was on hand to score moments later.
Young then ran in first two, though they were bisected by an error from the Knights winger that offered field position from which Taukamo scored another heartwarming Greek try.
Hall got in on the act after a Marc Sneyd chip and chase – Billy Magoulias absent due to the impending birth of a child, but there in spirit – and Tom Burgess crashed in another. Young added two more and George Williams got yet more to take the score to 42-4 at the break.
Greece did begin the second half with more resilience but tired again They lost Taukamo and Adam Vrahnos to arm injuries.
They could barely afford any mishaps, and with men down and burning lungs, they conceded further scores to Hall and Burgess again, plus Makinson, Andy Ackers (twice), Joe Batchelor, Kai Pearce-Paul and Mike McMeekin.
Fiji will be ready to tackle bigger challenges in the knock-out stages of the World Cup after snuffing out Scotland’s last flickering hopes in group B with a 30-14 triumph at Kingston Park.
Despite a spirited performance from the Bravehearts in front of 6736 fans in Newcastle on Saturday, five tries and five Brandon Wakeham conversions ensured Fiji secured back-to-back wins in Group B.
The result means Scotland finish bottom of the pool with three defeats from their three games, but Fiji will march on after their second win .
After a strong start, Fiji put the first points on the board four minutes in, a promising attack around the try-line seeing Taniela Sadrugu burst through the Scottish defence and plant the ball between the sticks.
The Bati added their second of the game after 13 minutes when Henry Raiwalui bamboozled Scotland with a fantastic double dummy before passing the ball to second-row Viliame Kikau, who grounded with plenty of space around him.
Scotland struggled to break forward and retain possession throughout the opening stages, but they scored their first try of the game when Lachlan Walmsley intercepted a loose pass from Fiji.
The winger then sprinted the entire length of the pitch down the right flank to score, but he was unable to add the extras, taking the score to 12-4.
Fiji scored the next points with their third try five minutes before the break. A group of bodies leapt up for a grubber kick, allowing Raiwalui to grab the ball and jog around to ground between the posts.
The Bravehearts instantly responded with 30 seconds left in the first half after pressing deep into Fiji territory and James Bell’s grubber kick sent in Ben Hellewell to score.
Scotland were reduced to 12 men early in the second half when Luke Bain was sinbinned for a high tackle and Fiji made use of their extra man five minutes in when winger Maika Sivo crossed in the left corner.
Bayley Liu then tried to replicate Walmsley’s earlier try but sprinted as far as the halfway point before being brought down.
Scotland continued to surge forward, eventually allowing Liu to finish what he had started and he touched down in the far right corner before Kyle Schneider added their first conversion of the game.
The Bati, though, continued to push for points, twice moving the ball out to the right, but winger Vuate Karawalevu was unable to ground.
With 13 minutes left, Walmsley and Kikau were both sinbinned before Fiji extended their lead when Korbin Sims crossed after a good spell of pressure on the Scottish try-line.
Scotland had a wave of attacks in the final 10 minutes but the Fiji defence held firm as they saw out the win.
With AAP
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