Rugby Champions Defeated

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 921, 14 March 1930, Page 7

Rugby Champions Defeated

FRANCE OUTPLAYS SCOTLAND Lierce Battle at Paris A MAGNIFICENT drop-kick in tlie last minute of tiie game gave France a dramatic and thoroughly deserved victory over Scotland, the Rugby champions, by a dropped goal and a try to a try, at Paris, on January 2, after a which was notable for the keenness of the play and the number of injuries to the players.

As dramatic as the ending, so was the beginning. Within three minutes from the start Bioussa plunged over the Scottish line from a live yards’ scrum, and the crowd of 40,000 people which had invaded the Colombes Stadium yelled itself hoarse. Stung by this reverse, Scotland attacked strongly. On three occasions the French line was threatened by Simmers’ strong runs, and on the third the left wing went over in the extreme corner. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. Right through, the match was contested at a terrific pace. Injuries were frequent, but neither side let up, with two minutes to go, it seemed as if the game must end in a draw. Then from a movement started on the right wing by Houdet the ball came _to Magnanou, who dropped a magnificent goal from 25 yards. Reuter’s correspondent says that for all their fine physique, Scotland was beaten for speed and virility generally.

There may be complaints from tin. Scottish side that the Frenchmen were rough, but from the spectator's standpoint France was only cleanly vigorous, and the admirable control which Mr. Hellewell exercised made it impossible for them to exceed the rules. Langrish failed to scent danger until it was too late. He fielded the kicks that came to him and went down to the rushes gamely, but without stemming them. His kicking was flurried, and rarely did he gain much ground. Scotland’s backs never seemed to know what to do with the ball, when they got it. They generally finished by running across the field or taking a gamble on a punt ahead. Only Simmers, Hume and Klmslie were th« best of them, and Waters was ou' standing among the forwards, pari cularly in tackling. The new Scottish flag recently presented to the Rugby Federation by Parisian Scots was flying over the ground.