HOME COUNTRIES’ RUGBY.

Shannon News, 20 January 1925, Page 3

HOME COUNTRIES’ RUGBY.

ENGLAND SAFE AT TWICKENHAM WALES DEFEATED, 12—6. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 17. England defeated Wales. 12 —6, in tins international Rugby match at Twickenham. The ground was on the soil side. Thirty-five thousand were present, including the Prince of Wales, who was accorded a wonderful ovation and shook hands with the members of the teams. At the outset the Welshmen pressed the attack and kept play entirely in the home quarters. After twelve minutes, England reached Welsh territory for the first • time and Armstrong kicked a penalty goal for England. Wales 'renewed the assault, which was kept up fiercely for a quaver of an hour and was at last rewarded. The ball came to Evan Wiliams, and he passed to Thomas, who, although tackled, forced his way over. Dai Parker failed to convert. The Welsh backs got the ball ofterier than Iheir opponents. Near halftime Hamilton-Wickes secured the ball, raced to mid-field and transferred lo Kittermaster, who finished a grent run by scoring a try. Armstrong’s kick failed. At half-time the score was:—

England 6 Wales 3 When play was resumed, the English backs set a great movement going, and the ball went out to Voyce, who scored, but Armstrong again missed the goal. The passing of the Welsh backs was several times faulty and the tendency to kick was too pronounced, but England’s defence was sorely taxed. Ten minutes from the finish a movement started by Evan Williams enabled James to get a try for Wales, and Parker had an unsuccessful shut at goal.

Then a passing run by the home backs was topped off by HamiltonWickes crossing the line. He took the kick himself, but hit the post. Wales pressed hard in the concluding minutes, but England’s defence held, and no-side sounded without alteration to the score.

[R. Armstrong is a Northumberland forward who played for the' North, the Probables, and England in the three trials of 1923-24, but missed his international cap. Of 37 matches played between the two countries, England has won 19, Wales 16 and two were drawn. Wales has never yet won at Twickenham. Since 1908-9, when the Welshmen wound up a series of matches undefeated, the Principality has won only three out of the last eleven games. The next international is Wales v. Scotland, at Swansea, on February 7, followed by England v. Ireland, at Twickenham, on February 14.]