BBC SPORT | RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2000 | WORLD CUP 2000

By BBC Sport Online's Phil Gordos in Leeds

England 26-16 Ireland

England overcame brave Ireland and a bad attack of the jitters to book their place in the semi-finals of the Lincoln World Cup.

In a passionate affair at Headingley, John Kear's side only stamped their authority on the game late on after being rocked to the core by their never-say-die opponents.

At one point, England trailed 10-4 and were in danger of blowing their chances of a mouth-watering clash with New Zealand.

But, after grabbing the lead just before the interval, they gradually assumed control.

Melted

England showed no signs of early nerves, looking comfortable on the ball and threatening whenever they came near the Irish line.

But, after Keith Senior had touched down in the corner inside four minutes, that confidence suddenly melted away.

The Irish defence haul back Paul Deacon

Tommy Martyn punched a hole in the England defence to level the score and Steve Prescott kicked the conversion to put Ireland in front.

A minute later, Ryan Sheridan's high kick almost led to a second Irish try as England suddenly went to pieces.

By the time they recovered their composure they were 10-4 down, Michael Withers bursting through some sloppy tackling to dive over in the corner on 23 minutes.

The majority of the crowd inside Headingley sat in stunned silence as they began to realise that a shock was on the cards.

Elementary errors

But skipper Andy Farrell eased the mounting pressure with a penalty, which reduced the deficit to four points.

England continued to make elementary errors - their passing was particularly poor - but substitute Jamie Peacock ensured they would enter the interval at least on level terms.

The Bradford Bulls second row made it tries in three successive World Cup games when he crashed over on 39 minutes.

Farrell's conversion made it 12-10 in England's favour, although that probably did not spare his team-mates a tongue-lashing from coach Kear.

Farrell was on target again at the start of the second half, landing a penalty after Prescott had been sin-binned for a professional foul.

The lead then became eight points when Wigan's Tony Smith, another player who had started the game on the bench, capitalised on some great work by Sean Long to score England's third try.

Farrell's kick made it 20-10, although Ireland were not about to lie down.

Vicious

We were very focused on the job in hand. They are all high quality players in the Irish team and we knew they'd give us a good contest

England coach John Kear

Kevin Campion came within a few feet of scoring what would have been a memorable try only to be hauled to the ground by Stuart Fielden, who was lucky to still be in one piece after being subjected to a vicious head-high challenge from Barrie McDermott.

That proved to be Ireland's last throw of the dice.

Seconds later, Chev Walker sealed victory on his home ground with another try, with Farrell duly kicking the conversion.

Withers reduced the deficit late on with his second try of the game, but it could not stop England from powering into the last four, where they join favourites Australia.

Teams:

England: Wellens, Walker, Radlinski, Senior, Rogers, Long, Deacon, Fielden, Rowley, Anderson, Morley, Forshaw, Farrell. Replacements: Smith, Naylor, Peacock, Howard.

Ireland: Prescott, Carney, Martyn, Eagar, Forster, Withers, Sheridan, O'Connor, Williams, McDermott, Joynt, Campion, Ricketson. Replacements: Clinch, Barnhill, Mathiou, Southern.

Referee: Tim Mander (Australia)




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