RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1929, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

IRELAND BEAT FRANCE

FINE FORWARD PLAY

PAR.IS, Jan. 1. France had to acknowledge defeat at the hands of Ireland in the first international Rugby match of llie season, which was played to-day at Colombcs. near Paris, the visitors scoring 2 trios to 0. Roth tries were scored in the second half, and were the result of two of the most brilliant hits of play in the match The first, by E. Davy a few minutes after the restart, was the culmination of a pretty passing movement by the backs and M. Sugdou, by neatly outwitting a couple of opponents before passing to the scorer, must be given much of the credit.

The second try was due largely to G. V. Stephenson’s enterprise. The veteran centre three-quarter received from Sugden, and giving Piquemal, tlic (Ererich full-hack, Che “dummy,” he steered a straight course for the line on which ho was brought down. The try was allowed, but the fall knocked Stephenson, and about live minutes passed before lie was thoroughly himself again. The Irish victory, however, was due largely to the unremitting work of the forwards. They played with great dash and determination, and the Frenchmen went through a gruelling timo. At times tho battle was of a fiercer description than Has ever been seen in France in an international match, and stoppages of play from injuries were frequent. At one stage three men were incapacitated at the same time.