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Six Nations 2007
17th March 2007 Wales 27 England
18
See extended highlights at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6460000/newsid_6463000/6463081.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm
By IAN STAFFORD (Mail on Sunday)
England were dismantled by attacking rugby at its very best in a sensational game that produced a sensational result after they had little answer to an incredible display of high tempo rugby. The future remains bright for this young England team, but they are unlikely to forget the experience in a hurry.
Less than two minutes had passed when Hook struck the first blow when he charged down his opposite number Toby Flood’s attempted clearance to score close enough to the post to make his conversion simple. Nine minutes later, the Ospreys back added a penalty and then, on the quarter- hour, a dazzling Shane Williams run was continued first by Gareth Thomas — reinstated in the starting XV after his suspension and as captain in place of Stephen Jones — and by Gethin Jenkins, before Worcester prop Chris Horsman picked up and drove over.Hook’s conversion struck the post but Wales held a 15-point lead in as many minutes.
As England head coach Ashton sat grim-faced in the stands, nothing appeared to be going right for his team. A disorientated Joe Worsley had already left the field after clashing heads with Jason Robinson and when Robinson looked clean through to score a stupendous tackle by Martyn Williams prevented a rapid English reply. The more the Welsh pack dominated, the more Wales pressed down on the English line but then,against the run of play, England struck just past the halfhour and, just as he did against the French, Mike Catt made his mark.
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The drama continued almost straight from the restart when Catt limped off. Shane Geraghty, who also made a big impact at Twickenham last Sunday, replaced him at inside centre. An awkward bouncing ball then caused problems for the Welsh defence and although David Strettle ghosted past three defenders, an offside gave Flood the chance to level the scores with a penalty. If Wales were despondent at having seen their large lead eroded away, they failed to show it. Back they came, launching wave after wave of attacks at England, capitalising on a wavering lineout and hitting the back three with a series of testing kicks. Shane Williams twice almost eluded his markers for what would have been a try and England found themselves under severe pressure. In the 55th minute,all Kevin Morgan needed to do was find Mark Jones with a pass to the winger for a try, but the ball went begging. Two minutes later, a Hook penalty once again struck the post. But after Louis Deacon, on for Tom Palmer,had taken out Alix Popham off the ball, Hook’s penalty gave Wales a lead they would not lose again.
Now Wales smelled English blood. Once more they bore down on the opposition
line. Once more Hook punished them with a 68th-minute drop goal, and then
the stand off caught the English restart to race 50 metres upfield. When
the English defence had not reverted ten metres from a Welsh penalty, Hook
brought his personal point tally to 22 and, crucially, took Wales beyond
England’s reach.
It is once again a joy to be living in England particularly after the emphatic victory in Cardiff.
Even so, we all still wake up every morning and thank the Lord we're Welsh.
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