INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27565, 24 January 1955, Page 6

INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

WINS FOR FRANCE AND WALES

IRELAND AND ENGLAND BEATEN

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.gi.) LONDON, January 22. France beat Ireland by 5 points to 3 at Dublin today to record its second victory in this season’s international Rugby Union championship. At Cardiff, Wales beat England by 3 points to 0. Ireland, Wales and England were playing their first matches in the championship. France beat Scotland by 15 points to 0 in Paris a fortnight ago. After a close, tough forward battle France beat Ireland by a converted try to a penalty goal, and so gained its first success in Ireland since 1949.

France led after 15 minutes. Domec scored near the posts after a glorious movement—the best of the game—and Vannier converted.

There was no further score until 10. minutes from the end, when Henderson kicked a penalty goal for Ireland from 35 yards out near the touchline.

With a crowd of 44,000 urging them on, the Irishmen pressed strongly, but France, helped by some luck, clung on to the lead until the finish. Wales beat England by a penalty goal to nil, but could consider itself fortunate, for England at least deserved a draw.

After the first 30 minutes the Welsh pack was well beaten in both the lineouts and loose, and only desperate resistance in the closing stages prevented ar England score.

The ground was very heavy, and scientific play was out of the question. Behind the scrum England had superiority in Butterfield and Davis. Wales was brilliantly served at fullback by A. E. Edwards, who came into the side at late notice for Garfield Owen, who cut his knee badly while in training, • eFterday. It was Edwards’s first cap. out his kicking and fielding showed the «kil nf a veteran.

HONG KONG RUGBY CUP NEW ZEALAND TEAM WINS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 23. A New Zealand team won the International Rugby Knock-out Competition Cup in Hong Kong for the first time this weekend. The cup, presented by the 3rd British Commando Brigade in 1948, has previ--1 ously been won by only England and Scotland.

The successful New Zealand team comprised 13 players, 11 of them from the crew of H.M.N.Z.S. Kaniere.

The team consisted of: B. Sadd, W. Peck, C. J. Steward, W. Taui, B. O. Seymour. A. J. Cloude, L. R. Cottes, A. L. Rutherford, L. Flavell, R. W. Harrison, and I. J. Newman, and two civilians, W. Rainger and B. Penman.

A radio message received by the Navj Office, Wellington, today, says that New Zealand beat IrelandSWales, 15-3, in the first round, and then beat England, 9-8, t the final. The English team was selectee from the Royal Navy, the Royal Ah Force, and Hong Kong civilians.