When GB thumped the Kiwis to clinch World Cup crown

WITH two big rugby events currently underway, one of which is hitting the headlines while the other is being played under a ‘news blackout’, here is a look back at Great Britain beating New Zealand 26-6 on their way to winning the very first Rugby World Cup...

The game began with unbeaten Britain as strong favourites. New Zealand having previously lost to France and Australia.

However, for the first 20 minutes of the game the favourites played second fiddle. For in the first six minutes of the game New Zealand had constant possession, possibly due to the British players’ failure to strike for the ball at the play the ball.

Two penalty kicks to New Zealand by McKay, whose place kicking was excellent through the series, against a Kitchen try put New Zealand in front and they clung desperately to their lead.

Later in the first half Britain obtained more possession and it was not long before their superior back play yielded tries by Gordon

Brown and Dave Rose.

At half-time Great Britain led by 11 to 6, and the issue was never in doubt.

The New Zealand forwards, ably led by McLennan, played magnificently, but their backs, although getting plenty of the ball, stood far too deep and often received passes standing still. They had no counter to the craft of Gerry Helme, the thrust and backing up of Gordon Brown and the elusiveness of Phil Jackson.

In the second half the only uncertainly was how many tries Great Britain would get.

After two minutes of this half Jackson, with a bewildering run, side-stepped his way through the New Zealand defence for an unconverted try.

A few minutes later Jim Ledgard kicked a penalty goal, and eight minutes before time the lion-hearted Frank Kitchen crowned a wonderful game with a brilliant try.

During the last few minutes Kitchen damaged a muscle which had been suspect in the first game against Australia, and he retired from the field.

Towards the end, Ledgard, who was playing an attacking game, linked up with the three-quarters and sold a perfect dummy to two would-be tacklers and scored a try, which he also converted.

Technically the British team was far superior to the Kiwis, but the New Zealand forwards deserved special praise for holding their own against a strong British pack.

■Great Britain: Ledgard, Rose, Jackson, Sullivan, Kitchen, Brown, Helme, Thorley, Smith, Coverdale, Watts, Robinson, Valentine.

■New Zealand: Gray, Edwards, McKay, East lake, Austin, Sorenson, Eriksen, Mclennan, Blanchard, Bond, Butterfield, McDonald, Atkinson.

There were five Fartowners in the squad: Mick Sullivan, Roy Rylance, Billy Banks, Harry Bradshaw, and World Cup winning captain, Dave Valentine.

■WE try and keep all things Giants up-to-date on the calendar at the bottom of our homepage GiantsSupporters. co.uk.

Our Facebook page and Twitter feed give more ‘realtime’ news – use the hashtag #hgsasavethedate.

And we are now on Instagram.

Some upcoming events include:

■November 5: Andy Kelly, Turnbridge WMC, 7.30pm.

■December 3, Ken Davy, Turnbridge WMC, 7.30pm.

■December 13, Reindeer Race Night, Turnbridge WMC, 7.30pm.

■January 7, Fans Forum, John Smith’s Stadium.