ENGLAND WIN AT BELFAST

FINE IRISH PACK.

By a goal and three tries to a try (14 points to 3) England beat Ireland at Belfast on Saturday. An eleven-point victory suggests a comfortable one, but the score is misleading in that direction. With the game three-parts over it did not look as if England would win. From the very outset the Irish forwards showed a marked ascendancy, which they maintained until only about a dozen minutes were left for play. For all that, England were the first to score, and the opening try of the match was obtained nine minutes after the start.

During the interval Irish hopes were naturally high. For forty minutes the English pack had been completely outplayed at all points of the forward game, and the English team almost continuously penned. Moreover, history proceeded to repeat itself when play was resumed. Yet I could not help feeling that from one point of view England could afford to take heart. Never once did the Irish back division threaten dangerous attack in combination.

IRISH PLAYERS DECEIVED.

England badly wanted this little bit of encouragement, as for the rest of the half they were continually on the defensive. It was not, however, until three minutes from half-time that Ireland got their only try. So at change of ends it was 3 points all.

The game had begun punctually at a quarter-past three, and it was twenty minutes to five when one of the Irish backs kicked and failed to find touch. Chantrill caught the ball, dashed forward, and, after a valuable run, he gave the ball to Jacob. Jacob made a capital opening for Hamilton-Wickes, who crossed the goal line and gave England the lead. Undoubtedly Ireland were then caught napping, and this proved to be the turning-point in the match.

A few minutes later Young gathered the ball at the feet of the Irish forwards, who were making an ugly rush. Young ran back and Hamilton-Wickes crossed on to his right. Wickes rushed away to the other flank, where he transferred the ball to Catcheside. It was Catcheside’s first real chance and he took it. He raced away and scored a try, which Conway converted. The Irish crowd and the Irish players were bewildered by this, and they were even more bewildered ere the end came. The dauntless Irish forwards returned to the attack, the ball got into the hands of G. W. Stephenson, and he indulged in an oblique kick intended obviously for the benefit of Douglas. Unfortunately for Ireland Catcheside caught the ball.

To the general amazement Catcheside went off on a sprint a few feet from the touch line. Again were Ireland caught napping, and only Harry Stephenson on the other wing scented trouble. Stephenson made for the danger spot. On both sides the players stood still and watched the race. It was well worth watching, too. Just as Catcheside crossed the line Stephenson reached his man and brought him down – but a fraction of a second too late. A minute or so later the whistle blew for “no-side.” Such is the brief story of the scoring.