MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Captain Dylan Hartley scored a first-half try and inside center Owen Farrell a late clinching one and England defended resolutely through repeated Australian scoring attacks to beat the Wallabies 23-7 on Saturday and clinch its first rugby series Down Under.
Leading 10-7 at halftime, Farrell's penalty goal in the 52nd minute gave England a six-point buffer before his try with four minutes remaining - after Australia's 15th handling error - helped clinched the win.
The English, who won the first test 39-28 last week in Brisbane, also showed their defensive superiority at the end of the first half when they held firm through more than 20 phases - all after the halftime siren had sounded - when Australia threatened within meters of the England goal line.
