Tomkins haul helps rusty England over Wales

Sam Tomkins turned boos into cheers, with a four try haul to help England overcome Wales 42-4 in front of 10,377 fans at Leigh Sports Village.

Things didn't start off bright for Wales, with the first hit-up costing them possession and their starting prop. England were in no mood for pity, Tomkins opening the scoring in the corner, with a sweep move.

Despite a raking 40/20 from Briers and a huge effort from Kopzcak couldn't stop the errors from the Welsh.

England pounced on these with Tomkins making it a brace within 18 minutes and Tomkins converting his first for the afternoon.

Constant drop ball along with penalties isn't the formula to defeat England. The Lions just gave the ball air to their backline, finding centre Kirk Yeaman to stroll over and give England a 14-0 lead at oranges.

England needed to be better in the second half, too much drop ball cost them more points in the first half. From the outset, they were sharper sending energetic fullback Sam Tomkins over for a hat-trick not long after the resumption.

The gap was widening, England sensed it and went for the throat with Chase drifting across field to link up with Reed who doubled his tally for his national side.

It was the sweep play which gave Tomkins his fourth and final try which marked a remarkable change after he was booed in the England v Exiles game.

The contest was over at 30 points to nothing but Wales were hoping to erase that duck egg.

They did, with a well worked quick hands play which gave winger Elliot Kear the space to walk in for the Welsh sides only score of the afternoon, leaving it 30-4 with less than fifteen to play.

England put an exclamation mark on the victory with controversial import Chris Heighington the recipient of a Widdop pass from a break. Widdop himself added one more try on the stroke of fulltime, when he plucked a pass from the Welsh to complete the rout, 40 points to 4.

Next up is the double header at Wembley Stadium with England hosting Australia and Wales hosting New Zealand.

Match Details
England 42 defeated Wales 4
Four Nations - Four Nations Week 1 - Sunday October 30, 2011 12:30pm
Venue: Leigh Sports Village, Manchester
Referee: Henry Perenara
Video Referee: Ian Smith
Touch Judges: Shane Rehm and Tim Roby
Crowd: 10,377
Halftime: England 14 Wales 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Sam Tomkins (4 Tries)
2 Points - Gareth Ellis
1 Point - Lee Briers

England (42)
Tries: Sam Tomkins (4), Gareth Widdop, Jack Reed, Kirk Yeaman, Chris Heighington
Conversions: Kevin Sinfield (5/8)

Wales (4)
Tries: Elliot Kear
Conversions: Lee Briers (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Leigh Sports Village which is overcast for this afternoon's second Four Nations clash, England verse Wales.
Both teams have entered the playing field, for the national anthems.
Anthems out of the way, we're ready for kick-off! Henry Perenara blows his whistle and England get us underway!
Bang! First tackle and Jordan James is hammered, losing the ball. England will attack right away.
3 min: TRY
One error, one try! Rangi Chase holds the ball up long enough for Tomkins to go through a feeble tackle of Briers to cross in the corner. Sinfield from the touchline, misses.
England 4-0
5 min: Too eager from the Welsh. They try to get some pressure on Tomkins but hold on too long, penalty.
7 min: England try to stretch the Welsh with Jack Reed but he drops the ball.
8 min: Brilliant raking kick from Lee Briers, finds touch ten metres from England's line. Big chance for Wales.
9 min: Disappointing end to the set, with halfback Seamark spilling it in prime position.
11 min: Wales defend their line well and counter attack from the grubber.
13 min: A subtle move from Kopzcak at the line, finds him in open pastures but he's wrapped up. On the last Briers banana kicks for his winger but he's held.
15 min: Wales earn a penalty but undo their good work, with a simple error.
18 min: TRY
It's a brace for Tomkins which gets the stands cheering. England put on a second man play with Tomkins sweeping around, Seamark misses the tackle and it's a TRY! Sinfield makes amends with his second conversion, converting.
England 10-0
19 min: England double their sins, with a drop ball from the kick-off then a penalty late in the set. Wales try the wide shift but Rhys Williams is bundled into touch.
21 min: Wales are inviting England into their territory with a drop ball then a penalty.
24 min: TRY
Too easy! Simple backline play again by the English and Wales can't defend it, Kirk Yeaman just strolls over for their third try of the afternoon. Sinfield from a similar angle to his first attempt, doesn't do any better.
England 14-0
27 min: Strip by Gareth Ellis, Can Wales mount an attack!
28 min: Consecutive penalties gives Wales a chance to break down the English wall but they try to go around England and it breaks down.
31 min: Adrian Morley tries to drive England forward but he only succeeds in having the ball jarred free.
36 min: Wales are piggybacked after an unnecessary second tackle attempt by the English.
40 min: Wales have one more chance at trying to cross, they are unsuccessful when Roets is thrown into touch. HALFTIME.
41 min: We're back for the second half. Wales kick-off.
44 min: England are making metres easily here but the final touch letting them down, Briers recovering. He earns a penalty from a stupid strip from Chase.
50 min: TRY
England looked sharp after the interval and this try confirms it. Gareth Ellis fights through the line, swatting away two defenders then offloading for Tomkins to run away for his hat-trick. Sinfield from besides the posts, slams it over.
England 20-0
56 min: TRY
The gulf of class between the sides has begun to widen. Chase drifts to the outside, finding his wide men and sending Reed over for his 2nd England try. Sinfield misses just to the left again.
England 24-0
58 min: More defence for Wales after a pinpoint bomb traps the winger. It's followed with a penalty for a dropout not making the ten metres.
60 min: TRY
Sam Tomkins is having a field day out there, crossing for his fourth try of the afternoon. It's a late pass to Tomkins sweeping across the back to diver over. Sinfield converts.
England 30-0
63 min: Steve McNamara has opened the playbook, bringing in Gareth Widdop to replace Rangi Chase for the remaining time.
65 min: Penalty to Wales for a rare foray into England's half.
67 min: TRY
Wales are on the board! They hammered it down the middle with the forwards, before just keeping it alive to give Kear a walk in. Lee Briers hugging the touchline but he misses.
England 30-4
68 min: Oh dear, forward pass coming out of trouble by Wales.
69 min: Stinging defence by the Welsh helps the ball come free and save some blushes.
76 min: TRY
Good combination by Chase and Widdop puts the latter into a hole where he feeds Heighington to touch down for his debut try. Sinfield converts.
England 36-4
Rangi Chase might have a spectacular try for England.
78 min: NO TRY! Chase dropped the ball as he attempted to ground the ball, a tame end to a promising attack.
80 min: TRY
Both teams chance their arm with the hooter blaring in the distance but Gareth Widdop plucks an errant Wales pass out of the air, pins his ears back to end things on a high note for the English. Sinfield puts his final attempt right over the black dot.
England 42-4