New Zealand held off a late England charge to win their fourth consecutive World Rugby Classic yesterday at the National Sports Club.

And in an exciting Plate Final, Bermuda threw away a 21-point half-time lead to lose to a combined Scotland and Ireland side.

In the main event, the All Blacks looked to be coasting to victory after going up 15-0 midway through the first half.

But they were reduced to defending desperately in the second period as the rampant English threatened to pull off a huge upset.

Inspired by two-try hero Paul Simpson, England showed that New Zealand, who are still undefeated in Classic competition, can be beaten, although they ran out of time to do it on this occasion.

In the closing minutes, wave after wave of white jerseys charged for the try line only to be stopped at the death by crunching tackles.

It must also be said that New Zealand appeared to be abusing the spirit of the Classic rules somewhat by seemingly intentionally conceding penalties to prevent England from scoring towards the end.

Under normal international rules, this would be suicidal because their opponents would be able to kick penalty goals, which are worth three points.

But penalty kicks are forbidden in the Classic and penalties have to be run instead, allowing New Zealand to escape a punishment, which befitted their crimes time and again.

No hint of what was to come was evident during a first half, which saw the All Blacks quickly assert their superiority and amass three quick tries.

Big Jock Ross went over first following a sweet move involving Mark Donaldson and captain Andy Haden.

When Alan Dawson and Joe Stanley scored within a minute of each other, it looked as if England were about to be hammered.

They kept the match alive, however, when flying winger Fred Sagoe went in at the right corner following a long period of intense England pressure.

Kiwi Bill Osborne looked to have put the result beyond doubt when he scored at the beginning of the second half.

But England's fleshy number eight Simpson took control and took on the All Blacks at their own power game.

He charged into the New Zealand defence and took with him four All Blacks as he collapsed on the try line to pull England within 10 points of drawing level.

Three minutes from the end he went over agin -- a superb effort on the right side of the field when he ploughed through a seemingly impregnable wall of black jerseys to touch down.

Bermuda 33, Scotland/Ireland 41 In the Plate Final, Bermuda put on a dominant first-half display of running rugby that led to them having a 33-12 lead over a combined Scotland and Ireland side after the first 30 minutes.

Argentinian Rafael Madero scored two tries and others came from Richard Raistrick, Bryan Mewett and Canadian John Robertson.

Full-back Phil Heaney, who had an excellent match, slotted four conversions.

But Bermuda fell apart after the break and failed to score a single point as the combined XV suddenly gelled.

TOUCHDOWN -- England's Paul Simpson scores one of his two tries yesterday, but it was not enough to deny New Zealand a fourth straight Classic title.