Advertisement

Magic Mikey helps England defeat Samoa as Knights coach tastes success with Ireland

emma kennedy
·3-min read
Ex-York Knights loanee Mikey Lewis was among the scorers as England beat Samoa - albeit from an unfamiliar role at hooker. <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Ex-York Knights loanee Mikey Lewis was among the scorers as England beat Samoa - albeit from an unfamiliar role at hooker. (Image: PA)

YORK Knights past and present displayed their talents on the international stage this weekend with mixed results.

Former loanee Mikey Lewis scored off the bench as England overcame Samoa 34-18 in their first test at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium.

The Hull KR star – among the Knights’ scorers in their 1895 Cup final defeat to Featherstone Rovers in 2021 – was on the end of Dom Young’s right-wing break to surge clear across the whitewash in the closing stages.

And he was also involved in one of the most explosive moments before kick-off, at one point clashing heads with Gordon Chan Kum Tong during Samoa’s traditional Siva Tau.

Recommended reading:

The Samoans, based in York for their first ever test series in the country, were their own worst enemies as Shaun Wane’s side avenged their Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat in style.

A series of penalties and repeat sets inside the visitors’ territory opened the door for Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth to open the scoring with just seven minutes on the clock, before Warrington Wolves teammates George Williams and Matty Ashton combined, the latter diving through to score his side’s second on the quarter-hour.

Captain Williams then got on the scoresheet himself five minutes later, shrugging off the challenge of John Asiata to twist his way across the line.

Samoa though did offer themselves a glimmer of hope before the break, Deine Mariner picking off a loose Daryl Clark pass to race clear and bring his side onto the board.

There were smiles all round as England avenged their World Cup semi-final defeat against Samoa. (Image: PA) Despite an improved performance from Ben Gardiner’s charges after the break, England extended their lead, Farnworth’s stunning offload freeing Victor Radley to crash over.

Skipper Jarome Luai though offered a reminder of the visitors’ own skill three minutes later, a flowing team move setting up Mariner to score his second.

Late efforts from Lewis, playing an unfamiliar role at hooker, and Matty Ashton, eased England home, but it was Samoa who had the last word through Chan Kum Tong before a melee erupted in the closing stages.

The sides will battle it out in the final match of the historic series in a double header with England’s woman against Wales at Headingley on Saturday afternoon.

Elsewhere, celebrations were in order for Knights assistant coach Ged Corcoran as his Ireland demolished Scotland 36-6 at Gateshead in their first international match in two years.

He handed starts to former Knights Ronan Michael and debutant Riley Dean, whilst new recruit James Farrar showed a taste of what fans can expect from him in 2025 with a try off the bench.

Captain George King drew first blood for Ireland with just 12 minutes on the clock, profiting from a scrum, and then good work from Michael, to crash over from close range.

Scotland, whose squad included forward Jack Teanby, responded when Matty Fletcher reacted quickest to a grubber nine minutes later, but tries from full-back Aidan McGowan and Bradford Bulls half-back Joe Keyes and a Dean penalty handed Corcoran’s side a 20-6 half time lead.

In what was a noticeably closer second half, it took 23 minutes for Keyes to resume the scoring, breaking clear from inside his own half and racing away to score.

Young outside back Farrar, who has swapped Hull Wyke for the Knights from 2025, then got in on the action after taking a cut-out pass to score out wide with 10 minutes left to play.

Harry Rushton added gloss to the scoreline with some neat footwork in the closing stages.