A unplayable Poynder Park forced the game to be switched from Kelso to Dunbar but even that change could not derail England’s progress.

Barkley and Voyce were the main thorns in Scotland’s side, although the battling Scots refused to allow the visitors to run away with the game.

Hawick’s Neil Stenhouse opened the scoring for Scotland after nine minutes with a 45-metre penalty but Barkley levelled four minutes later with his first penalty.

And when he converted Voyce’s 22nd-minute penalty try, England looked ready to build a mammoth score.

Barkley converted his own try three minutes later but the Scottish defence held until the break, a second Stenhouse penalty from the halfway line bringing up a 17-6 half-time score in England’s favour.

Stenhouse closed the gap after the break with his third penalty but again England stretched away with a try by James Simpson-Daniel converted by Barkley.

But with 14 minutes to go Scotland claimed their one try of the afternoon.

Rory Lawson took a quick tap penalty, hooker Scott Lawson was in support and Hawick winger Nicky Walker dived over for the try.

Ander Monro converted to bring the score to 24-16 but with five minutes to go Barkley clinched it as he ran in his second try and his 22 point.

Adrian Winnan converted for England to claim a hard-won victory.