England struggle to victory

England scraped their first victory of the tour with a 15-9 win against the Australian Barbarians at the Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.

Two penalties from Charlie Hodgson and three from Olly Barkley were enough to seal the win despite another disappointing performance from Martin Johnson's side.

The Barbarians edged into a 9-6 lead early in the second half with three penalties from Berrick Barnes before England's scrum dominance proved the difference and Barkley booted the points.

England dominated the first quarter and took a third minute lead with a Hodgson penalty after Dan Ward-Smith's break down the wing.

Referee Steve Walsh awarded England a dubious penalty, which Hodgson missed but he soon pushed the tourists further ahead as the Barbarians struggled to break out of their own half.

England worked another promising opportunity but Hodgson's flick-pass for Delon Armitage on the overlap drifted forward and to the ground. That was the best England had to offer, their execution again a disappointment and Dominic Waldouck, one of their brighter sparks, was forced off injured after 27 minutes.

The Barbarians made their way into the game and England began to lose their composure. Barnes slotted two penalties to draw the Australians level and England were fortunate not to trail at the interval after missing a simple shot at goal.

Barnes kicked a third penalty to edge the Barbarians ahead before Barkley assumed the kicking duties to respond, after an powerful England scrum.

The scrum proved decisive in the end. The Australian Barbarians finished with two hookers in the front row.

England milked that dominance and Barkley kicked them to victory.