England battle into the last eight

PARIS, France -- Paul Sackey scored two tries as world champions England beat Tonga 36-20 to reach the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup in an exciting open encounter at the Parc des Princes.

Jonny Wilkinson, a little short of his best kicking form, nevertheless notched 16 points and is just five short of Gavin Hastings' World Cup record 227.

After the game Wilkinson said: "We did the basics right but it was a tough night. It could have gone either way but we became strong at the end."

In the quarters England face a stern test against Australia, who will be itching to wipe out the memory of their narrow loss to them in the 2003 final.

A determined Tonga went into a 10-3 lead in the first 16 minutes and clawed back to 19-13 down after 53 minutes before England applied telling pressure in the closing stages.

The Tongans made an impressive start and went ahead when Mark Cueto failed to release the ball after a tackle, giving Pierre Hola the chance to put over an eighth minute penalty.

Wilkinson leveled matters five minutes later with a straightforward penalty but after 16 minutes Tonga burst through for a try, from Sukanaivalu Hufanga after Epili Taione had brushed off Wilkinson. Hola converted to make it 10-3.

Brilliant improvisation by Wilkinson quickly brought England back into the game. England were awarded a penalty close in and Tonga were retreating in expectation of a kick at goal when Wilkinson suddenly fired a high ball out to the right and Sackey collected brilliantly and just touched down short of the dead ball line.

Wilkinson's kick from out on the touchline was wide but England had a gilt-edged chance after 29 minutes when Ollie Barkley had a simple drop goal chance in front of the posts.

Unfortunately he sent it wide but two minutes later Wilkinson showed how to do it by putting over his eighth drop goal in successive World Cup games.

A Wilkinson penalty increased England's lead to 14-10 but they were under pressure as Tonga attacked strongly two minutes later. The Tongan move suddenly broke down as the ball was fumbled and Sackey snapped up the ball and raced 84 yards for a thrilling try.

Wilkinson's conversion attempt floated wide and he also missed a straight penalty before the interval.

Tonga began the second half well with a penalty from Hola but after 56 minutes the Tongans had a man down receiving treatment as Nick Easter sent in Mathew Tait for a try which Wilkinson converted.

Andy Farrell scored his first try for an England rugby union team under the posts and Wilkinson followed the conversion with another drop goal.

Gallant Tonga battled on and near the end Sione Tu'ipulotu forced his way over right in the corner and Hola landed a superb conversion. E-mail to a friend