Readers’ letters Prince scored a regal try
Surely, any list of the “Top five touchdowns of all time” (March 10) should include the legendary first try (of two) scored by Prince Obolensky on his England debut in the 13-0 victory over the All Blacks on Jan 4, 1936 – the first time England had beaten New Zealand. As a run of three-quarters of the length of the field, beating several All Blacks, this first try was widely regarded as one of the greatest tries ever scored by England.
Prince Alexander Obolensky was a refugee from Russia and his original selection caused a stir as he was not a British subject at the time, but did later.
He continued to serve his adopted country by volunteering for the RAUXAF in 1939. Very sadly, Pilot Officer Obolensky was killed in an air crash during training in his Hawker Hurricane on March 29, 1940 – the day after being recalled to the England squad to play Wales.
Trevor Burrage, Oxted, Surrey
It was interesting to read Mick Cleary (March 10) on the greatest try in Twickenham’s history. May I respectfully suggest that a serious contender for this accolade should be Andy
Hancock’s near field-length solo run to score for England against Scotland in 1965.
Joe Hayward, Stanmore, Middlesex.
Farrell should go quietly
With reference to the recent articles by Lawrence Dallaglio and Austin Healey, I agree that it is perhaps time to relieve Owen Farrell of the captaincy, if for no other reason to stop his arguing with the referee.
He should take a leaf out of Sam Warburton or Richie Mccaw’s book and get the referee on side, and he would find the game going a bit more smoothly.
Barry Baseley,
Saffron Walden
Jones has a glass half-full
I have some sympathy for Eddie Jones in that he has declared that Maro Itoje has been “over-reffed”. On match days at Twickenham when visiting the Guinness tent, I have, on occasions, been “over-served”. Not my fault! Jeff Roberts, Gosport, Hants
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Foden ‘penalty’ was obvious
Once more, Var cannot make correct decisions. With the recent game where Phil Foden was clearly brought down by Alex Mccarthy, the Southampton goalkeeper, there was talk as to whether the keeper touched the ball.
Surely this is an irrelevance as Foden was prevented from getting the ball by contact from the keeper. Foden was clearly fouled, denied a scoring opportunity and a penalty should have been awarded.
This was clear and obvious and is exactly what Var was brought in to sort. The Var official should be ashamed. Robert Mitchell, Poulton-le-fylde, Lancs
Putting cash before country
Do cricketers ever ask themselves what will give them more satisfaction: representing their country or building a huge bank balance in games that have as much relevance as the exhibition games that used to be played at the end of Test matches that finished early in the day? IPL matches may be played in front of huge crowds, but they are driven by media hype and money. The much vaunted “Hundred” is another variation on the theme.