WALES DEFEATS FRANCE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27340, 4 May 1954, Page 6

WALES DEFEATS FRANCE

Cardiff Park “Hoodoo” Unbroken < FINE PLAY OF WELSH FORWARDS (From the London Correspondent o) “The Press") LONDON, March 29. The victory won/' by Wales over France at Cardiff on Saturday by 19 points (two goals and three penalties) to 13 (two goals and one penalty) wrecked French hopes of winning the international Rugby championship With victories over the All Blacks, Ireland and Scotland, many critics thought that France would prove too strong for Wales but they failed to break their Cardiff Arms Park "hoodoo.” They have yet to win a match there. The Welsh pack led by Cardiff forward, Sid Judd, played great football. Rees Stephens, the Welsh captain, was replaced at the last minute and his place taken by Russell Robbins, of Pontypridd, who provided an ample substitute for Stephens. Cliff Morgan, Welsh stand-off half, was also injured and his plaBe taken by Glyn John. Although the French backs ran and handled brilliantly the Welsh forwards gave them little room to move and they could nob penetrate the Welsh defence. The hero of the match for Wales was again 33-year-old Vivian Evans, of Neath, who has only played in the red jersey twice. In his first game against Ireland a fortnight ago, Evans scored nine of Wales’ 12 points and his unerring boot did not fail him against France as he scored 13 points from two conversions and three penalty goals. His general touch finding and play were described by critics as “immaculate.” « Claverie, of Lourdes, the French fullback, who proved such a thorn against the All Blacks, had a bad day and was repeatedly caught by the fast moving Welsh forwards. Gareth Griffiths and a forward, W. O. Williams, scored for Wales, while Martine and Baulon scored for France. Jean Prat kicked one penalty. The teams were as follows: Wales:—V. Evans, K. J. Jones, A. Thomas, G. Griffiths, G. Rowlands, G. John, W. R. Willis, W. O. Williams, B. Meredith, C. Meredith, R. Robbins, R. H. Williams, R. C. C. Thomas, S. Judd, and L. Davies. France:—H. Claverie, F. Cazenave, R. Martine, M. Prat, A. Boniface, A. Labazuy, G. Dufau, A. Domenech, P. Labadie, R. Bienes, L. Mais, B. Chevalier, R. Domec, R. Baulon, J. Prat. For the match against England at Colombes on April 10, France has dropped Claverie for a young player from Dax,* Albaladejo. Celaya has also replaced Baulon in the scrum. A win over England will still enable France to share the international championship with England.