Rugby IRELAND BEATS WALLABIES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 16

Rugby IRELAND BEATS WALLABIES

Last-Minute Scores In Historic Win

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) DUBLIN, Jan, 18.

Two tries in the final 10 minutes of play today gave Ireland a historic 9-6 Rugby Union win over the Australian Wallabies. A crowd of 33,000 saw Ireland score its first win against a Dominion touring team. The day was bleak.

There was tremendous excitement after the match and thousands invaded the field to carry off the Irish players. Ireland’s hero was its captain, Noel Henderson, who ran half the length of the field for a try that sealed the victory five minutes before full-time. The Wallabies, with the score 3-3 at half time and running with a strong wind behind them In the second half, threw .away a certain test victory with foolish errors. When Arthur Summons sliced cleanly through the Irish team for a try in the middle of the second half, the Wallabies had victory in their grasp. But -the Irish team showed rare fighting spirit and scored its first try when Phelps passed behind his own goal line to Donald. The Irish forwards charged down Donald’s kick and the hooker, Dawson, fell on the ball for a try.

In a thrilling finish and with time running out the Australians launched a back-line attack. Phelps linked up from the blind side wing and the Australians seemed set for a certain try. But the Irish centre, Hewitt, flashed between White and Potts to intercept and send Henderson on a 55-yard run tp the Australian goal line.

The Australian defenders overtook Henderson two yards from the line but the impact of their tackles carried the Irishman over.