James Graham, Josh Hodgson have led England to victory over Samoa

CANTERBURY’S James Graham and Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson were best on field as England escaped with a 30-10 win over Samoa.

James Graham was one of the standouts for England. pic Mark Evans

FOR 40 minutes, England looked like they belonged to Wayne Bennett.

They were powerful, direct, controlled, and resolute.

After halftime that all vanished under a pile of errors and England were fortunate to escape with a 30-10 win over Samoa in the main event of the Pacific Test triple header.

The Poms led 14-0 at halftime after tries to Ryan Hall and Stefan Ratchford but dropped their bundle throughout an error-filled second half.

“It was a tough game of football and we got challenged a fair bit there and we really had to work hard to get the result we got,” Bennett said after the match.

“That’s what we’re here for, we won’t get any better watching the other nation’s play.”

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James Graham in action for England. pic Mark Evans

The victory wasn’t secure until James Graham capped a strong individual performance by crashing over with five minutes left off a Kevin Brown pass.

Along with Graham, Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson was England’s best, controlling the ruck well and crossing for a well-worked try through the middle of the field that saw him combine with halves Luke Gale and Kevin Brown.

“We kept it simple and I thought we stuck to the game plan, that’s why we combined really well,” Hodgson told The Daily Telegraph.

“That’s just playing footy. That’s just backing themselves and their natural instincts.

“The more time you spend with each other the more it builds, like anything.

Bennett said the team played with much more confidence than in last season’s Four Nations and skipper Sean O’Loughlin claimed the improved combinations were noticeable all week.

Samoa’s Tim LaFai looks to offload. pic Mark Evans

“The boys (were) kind of one step ahead because of the time they spent together last year.

“Coming in this week it felt like everyone was on the front foot, everybody was still on the stuff they were doing last year.”

Despite the improvements this England side is still very much a work in progress.

There were too many preventable errors, often deep in their own end.

The foundations are there but the likes of Australia and New Zealand will be quicker to punish their failings.

Samoa started slower than one might expect but worked their way into a rhythm as the match went on.

Star centre Joey Leilua had a mixed night, as is his wont, but scored a powerful try by twisting, turning and forcing his way through a horde of England defenders.

Brisbane five-eighth Anthony Milford also raced over for a try as part of a second-half fight back.

ENGLAND 30 (J Graham R Hall J Hodgson J McGillvary S Ratchford tries L Gale 5 goals) bt SAMOA 10 (J Leilua A Milford tries A Milford goal) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 18,271.

Originally published as James Graham, Josh Hodgson have led England to victory over Samoa