ENGLAND BEATS FRANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18501, 24 February 1930, Page 9

ENGLAND BEATS FRANCE.

Struggle for Rugby Crown.

“BEER v. BORDEAUX WINE.” (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 22. In the international Rugby match played at Twickenham, England defeated France by 11 points to 5. The Teams. England (two names missing)— Ashew, Reeve, Novos, Jacob, Robson, Sobey, Spong, Row, Tucker, Bateson, Black, Forrest, Poriton. France —Ambert, Bigot, Cody, Camel, Majirus, Biesuesa, Galba, Nibere, Serin, Magnasou, Samatan (the soldier for whom M. Tardieu asked special leave), Baillette, Gerald, Noudet, Piquenmal. “Magnifique,” shouted the Frenchmen as Robson destroyed France’s hopes of the Rugby Union Parity by scoring a marvellous try. The attendance, which was over 50,000, included Prince George and the French Ambassador. The wind was light and the weather perfect. Brilliant Play. The short passing of the French forwards was delightful. Their supporters went wild at the end of quarter of an hour, when Serin scored a fine try, which Ambert converted. The French pressed in their attacks, in which Samatan (a slimmish youth with a shock of red hair) shone out, working in combination with Serin (also red-haired), and wonderful at throwing in the ball. Stobey and Spong put up a great defence. After twenty-eight minutes, Reeve scored, but Black failed to convert. Just before the interval Robson, who won the inter-’Varsity match for Oxford, made a wonderful run from half-way, eluding half a dozen Frenchmen, including Piquenal, who is a great full-back, and scored a try, which Black did not convert. The latter also failed with three penalty shots at goal. England was consistently better in the scrum in the second half, getting the ball nearly every time. The French showed brilliant flashes of great speed, especially "Gerald and Baillette. Robson almost scored again, being brought down right on the line. Peritan scored the final try, and Black converted.

After the Game. The crowd carried off the English scrum half Spong, who played the game of his life. Nibere (French captain) said: “It was one of the hardest games I have ever played. It was magnificent. We failed to win, but winning is not everything. The English are a splendid team.” Sam Tucker, playing his twentyfifth international game, and captaining England for the first time, described the match as a great hard game from beginning to end. There were many hard knocks and minor injuries, but the game was played in a fine sporting spirit. A telegram of* good wishes was received from M. Chautamps, formerly centre-three-quarter of the Racing Club de France. The team, in response, sent a message of congratulation from the French team to the “First Rugby man to be Premier of France.” AH France Listens-In. All France was listening-in to the description of to-day’s Rugby match. France has already defeated Scotland and Ireland, and was very keen on winning the championship. Twenty-two barrels of wine were brought for the use of the players. Beer v. Wine. England’s Rugby Union victory over France may be described as k triumph of beer over Bordeaux, for each of the French team brought to London a little cask of that wine, gaily painted red white and blue, with the gallic cock at one end. Prince Arthur of Connaught, the Frentih Ambassador, and many Naval Conference delegates were among the spectators. IRELAND DEFEATS SCOTLAND. (United Press Association—By Klectrle Telegraph—Copyright ) (Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 22. At Edinburgh, Ireland defeated Scotland by 14 points to 11.