England made it two from two in the Student Rugby League Four Nations against Ireland, overcoming a dogged and determined Irish side who rallied at every opportunity they were presented with, but were unable to turn their efforts into a score.

Things looked ominous as Alex Eckley glided through the defence, taking Alex Bielby’s pass with just two minutes on the clock. Matty Chrimes was unable to convert. 

Chrimes dived in at the corner shortly afterwards, finshing a left to right move which went through seven pairs of hands, but he was unable to convert. And it was Chrimes again with quarter of an hour gone who finished Daniel Munt’s break to push England further ahead, this time Sean Croston was off target with the boot.

Peter Ryan looked impressive for Ireland, tackling everything which came his way, with Brad Sheridan and Josh Dean steering the Irish shirts around the field as Ireland went through their best period of possession. But their advances were halted when Sheridan was dispatched to the sin bin for backchat. 

England capitalised on the one man advantaged, when Alex Smith added a second just before the halftime break although Croston was unable to extend the lead. 

Seven minutes into the second half, Chrimes crossed for his hat-trick, out jumping Zak Fellows for the line, but Alex Smith missed the conversion. Munt found space again to set up his own try just after the hour mark, with Alex Smith landing the conversion.

Ireland pressed again, with Rex Boulter looking lively out of dummy-half, but England’s defence stood firm. 

Jacob Jones pounced on Kieran Smith’s grubber as the clock faded, with Alex Smith missing the conversion, but the final word went to Sean Croston who completed another Dan Munt break. Alex Smith added the extras.

Sin Bin: 37 – Brad Sheridan – Dissent.