ENGLAND’S RUGBY WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1920, Page 4

ENGLAND’S RUGBY WIN

DRAMATIC TRY IN LAST MINUTES

IRELAND OUTPLAYED. LONDON, Feb. 2-1. England 14pts. Ireland 11. A very large crowd saw England win at Lansdowne-road, Dublin, tho conditions generally being favourable to good football. There was plenty of real Irish enthusiasm when tho home team scored, ami altogether Rugby is getting back to its pre-war state ns quickly as can be expected. The young, or at any rate inexperienced, Irish side,, however, failed to come up to expectations and were very lucky to he so nearly level in the matter of scoring.

To put it plainly, there was only one tea m in it throughout, except.for the fatal live minutes after half-time, when an English fifteen by time-honoured custom usually takes things easily. On this occasion the pause nearly cost them dear, for in a few minutes they found themselves II points down. But they were so much the better side in every way that even then it was felt that they must surely win, and in the end they rose to the situation and achieved

i a very creditable victory, j IRELAND .SCORE FIRSTi England kicked off against a slight I breeze and B. S. Cuinborlegc was early prominent with the first of a long series of good kicks. A, M. Smallwood missed one or two fine chances and C. A. Kershaw was working hard and successfully. S. W. Harris ran well once or twice but could never get through, and W. J. A. Davies put in one or two . long kicks. Twelve minutes from the start R. A. Lloyd kicked a penalty goal for Ireland and the home side took the lead. Little would go right for England, and though ’ several players were doing very well indeed the game was usually in Irish territory. Occasionally, but not very often, the forwards looked dangerous with their loose rushes, but the Englishmen had no hesitation in going down on the ball and they never got very far. W. J. A. Davies was nearly through once, and .1. A. Greenwood narrowly missed a penalty goal,' while A. M. Smallwood had one or two unsuccessful drops. Indeed, England did everything but score, hut halftime found them in a minority of three points instead of in the enjoyment of a useful lead.

Five minutes from tile interval the score against them had risen to ll points, and for a brief period things looked black. 11. A. Lloyd was chiefly responsible for the two scores; lie threw a very wide pass to J. Dickson, who had little to do but gather the ball.anci scored, far out. The kick failed, but a minute later R,. A. Lloyd punted high to the English back, who made his solitary mistake of the day when he misliolded it. From the ensuing bustle R. A. Lloyd scored under the posts and placed an easy goal. •IRISH FORWARDS HEARTENED. For the next tew minutes the game was very level and well contested. The perhaps unexpected success put heart into the Irish ' forwards, and they brought off a few rushes and looked dangerous. Suddenly the English forwards rallied in the most startling fasl lion, and .thenceforward to the end there was only one side in it. Several well-intentioned efforts, however, went wrong, and it was some little time before W. W. Wakefield opened the scoring for England, the goal kick

■ failing. - England remained in Irish territory, . and after B. S. Gumberlege had olieck- - ed an Irish rush F. W. Mellish went ; over from a line-out. No goal resulted, | but the visitors maintained the pressure, • and it was often only brilliant work by the Irish full-back that held them in > check. A break-away by Ireland ve- . suited in their left wing, Bryant, mak- ■ ing one of the best runs of the day. but B. S. Cumbcrlege tackled him finely. Back went the English forwards, and a moment loter W. J. A. Davies made an equally fine effort cutting through in wonderful style. It was all England now, and clover passing from the halves put E. Myers in an excellent position, and he made no mistake. J. E. Greenwood kicked an easy goal, and the scores were level, with ten minutes to go. More accurate passing gave C. N. Lowe one of his rare chances, and lie was over the line in a trice with the winning try. Several stoppages for injury delayed the end, hut Ireland were now hopelessly beaten, and England won by 1 goal and 3 tries to 2 goals (1 penalty) and 1 try. It. was an exciting game because of the course it took, but England ought to have won more readily. They played much better than in their two previous games, hut they were lip against a much weaker lot of opponents, whose poor display, indeed, was only relieved by two things: the clever opportunism of R. A. Lloyd and the magnificent show rtinde by the Irish full-hack, Crawford, whose international debut was a striking success. ~\Y. J. Cullen got few chances and A. K. Horan worked hard, but was not the equal of Kershaw. P. Stokes, of Garryowen, seemed as prominent as any of a mediocre pack, several of whom had an apparent objection to scrummage work. A. H. .McILWAINE’S USEFULNESS. The presence of A. H. Mcllwaine seemed to have an extraordinary influence op the English forwards, who showed much more dash than in previous games. The Army forward worked untiringly, and was extremely useful in the line-out, a part of the game in which England for once had the upper hand. F. W. Mellish also played a great game, while J. E. Greenwood led his men well. W. W. Wakefield and the two Gloucester'forwards, S. Smart and T. Vovce, also doing good work. At half, C. A. Kershaw was much handicapped by sundry Irish forwards with little regard for the offside rule, but he worked splendidly all through the match, and finished up with a beautiful run which all but ended in a try. Many of his passes to AV. J. A. Davies were hampered by his oppon- . cuts, but still he got the ball out to his | artner somehow 7 , and the later generally made good use of it. He nearly scored twice, while some of his best work was j spoilt by the men behind him. j E. Myers played quite a sound game ; and did some good things. He has an I idea of cutting through, and is well j worth another trial. A. M. Smallwood partly atoned in the second half for various mistakes in the early part of tlio match, but he is too fond of dropping at goal. Once at least it looked as if a pass must have sent S W. Harris in. J

C. N. Lowe was as useful its ever and all over the Held in defence. As usual, few chances came his way, hut he made the most of them. S. W. Harris did not seoro, but he ran hard and with determination, and took his share of the defence and rush-stopping, i 13. S. Oumberlege produced one of his best games, kicking a good length and finding touch, besides tackling and sav. ing in resolute fashion.