After Toby King and Mikey Lewis scored in the first half, Tom Johnstone scored twice in the second.

Tonga proved they would not be pushed around when they were the first Pacific island country to tour England. Starford Toa and Tyson Frizell gave them an early lead.

English held on after Tolutau Koula scored late to make it a thrilling finish.

The series starts on October 28 in Huddersfield and ends the next weekend in Leeds.

Remember what happened as it happened
Lewis started England’s first real attack with a great drive through the middle of the field, beating three men. He then switched to the left wing, where King, who scored the winning goal for Wigan in the Grand Final last weekend, was able to power over in the corner.

That being said, Tonga came back strong, and Toa scored a try after a smooth passing move, and Frizell scored after a smart grubber kick.

Those scores put the tourists ahead, but England responded when Lewis scored his first international try by dominating tacklers on his way to the goal. However, an Isaiya Katoa penalty for Tonga tied the game at halftime.

The Tongans were tough for Shaun Wane’s team, but the home team took the lead again when Johnstone scored in the corner after Jack Welsby looped a great pass.

Welsby became England’s youngest men’s captain when he was put in charge while George Williams was out for a while. He was 22 years old.

Catalans winger Johnstone sealed the win with an interception and a try that got away from the defense.