Olly Barkley kicked three penalties and Charlie Hodgson two as England beat the Australian Barbarians 15-9 on Tuesday in a match decided entirely on goalkicks.
Hodgson landed two first-half penalties to contribute to a 6-6 deadlock at half-time, then handed the kicking duties to Barkley, who landed three more goals, including two in the last seven minutes, to seal the win.
Wallabies center Berrick Barnes came off the bench in the 14th minute to kick three penalties for all of the Barbarians’ points.
England dominated the first 15 minutes, pressing the Barbarians inside their own half but, as with last Saturday’s first Test — won 27-17 by Australia — lacked an ability to turn possession and territory into tries.
Hodgson kicked England into the lead with a penalty after three minutes and rewarded their territorial advantage with a second goal after 13 minutes for 6-0.
Both sides created scoring chances in the next 15 minutes but were unable to breach determined defenses.
Barnes, who replaced Will Chambers, finally put his team on the board with a penalty after 28 minutes. He missed a long-range attempt in the 34th before tying the scores with his second penalty two minutes later.
Barnes had the chance to put the Barbarians ahead with another attempt from 50m after the half-time siren but was again astray and the teams went into the interval locked at 6-6.
Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, returning after missing the first two matches of Australia’s international season through injury, played effectively for 42 minutes before being replaced by Huia Edmonds.
Barnes kicked the Barbarians into the lead in the 51st when Steffon Armitage was penalized for leaving his feet at a ruck.
The Barbarians’ 9-6 lead endured for nine minutes until Barkley slotted his first goal from 30m.
Polota-Nau was forced to return to the field in the 72nd as a replacement for loosehead prop Pekahou Cowan and continued to show useful scrummaging ability.
England were able to wear down the Barbarians in other areas and Barkley slotted goals in the 73rd and 76th minutes to clinch the win.
England winger Matt Banahan was suspended for two weeks yesterday after being found guilty of a lifting tackle on Barnes in the first half.
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