CHRIS Hill and Mike Cooper are celebrating their first Test series success with England.

They played a full part in this afternoon’s decider against New Zealand to clinch the Baskerville Shield 2-1 in what is England's first series or tournament success since 2007.

Warrington Wolves prop Hill, former Latchford Albion front rower Cooper and James Graham led the fight on the soggy DW Stadium surface.



The win looked to be sealed with the second of Elliott Whitehead’s first tries for his country and rubber-stamped by skipper Sean O’Loughlin’s effort, all in the final 15 minutes, but two late tries from the Kiwis left a nervy last three minutes.

Warrington Guardian:

Hill earned a penalty, being mithered and held down by Adam Blair, for Gareth Widdop to boot England into a two-point lead from in front of the posts after five minutes.

An Issac Luke break left England in scramble mode and a follow-up penalty conceded on the last tackle allowed Jason Nightingale to attack his left corner twice but the covering defence was up to the job.

England created an overlap on the right but former Latchford Albion junior Kallum Watkins lost possession with debutant winger Jermaine McGillvary waiting to be set free.

Warrington Guardian:

Hill came to the rescue as his pressure tracking back forced Peta Hiku to knock on inches from the try line after Nightingale offloaded on the inside.

England were put under the cosh after a Hill offload failed to find hands deep inside their own half but the defence delivered and Elliott Whitehead’s crunching tackle caused the Kiwis to fumble.

James Roby and Mike Cooper arrived in the 20th minute, replacing Hill and Josh Hodgson, as England took the game back to the other end.

Warrington Guardian:

Watkins got round his marker Jordan Kahu but the inside ball looking for support was intercepted.

But England, prompted by Cooper and Tom Burgess, kept coming and a little grubber from recalled Matty Smith, named player of the match, was picked up by Elliott for a clear short run to the line and his first international try. Widdop’s extras made it 8-0 after 26 minutes.

Zak Hardaker got across to bundle the dangerous Nightingale over the touchline as the Kiwis created space down the left in search of a response.

But five minutes later Hardaker could not stop Nightingale flying through the air by the corner flag to reward adventurous Kiwis play from the halfway line on the last tackle. Luke’s touchline conversion cut the gap to two points.

Warrington Guardian:

Hill returned to help Cooper up front five minutes into the second period as both sides were committed to winning the arm wrestle in the third quarter.

The Kiwis dominated territory for that time but as soon as England got to the other end they struck.

Graham used Hill as a foil to feed Smith and he found the angled run of Whitehead who evaded three tackle attempts to cross. Widdop improved the try for 14-6 after 64 minutes.

Warrington Guardian:

And it was a pummelling drive from Cooper that laid the platform for player of the series Sean O’Loughlin to power over in the 71st minute in front of a full house on his home ground, with Widdop again goaling.

Warrington Guardian:

The Kiwis were not going to give up and Roger Tuivasa-sheck was in the right place take a miracle pass from Nightingale with six minutes remaining, making it 20-10.

Kahu slid over for another New Zealand try from a kick into space but with Luke missing his second successive conversion – this one off the post – England still led by six points and were able to hang on desperately in the closing moments.

Warrington Guardian:

Sadly, there were no appearances across the series for Warrington's Ben Westwood and Ben Currie but they did play their part behind the scenes in this 23-man squad effort.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:


Read more reaction from England coach Steve McNamara here