London, Feb. 11, England decisively beat, Ireland at Rugby football to-day by seventeen points to six. The match was played at Twickenhem in fine and sunny weather. The crowd of over 60,000 spectators included the Duke' of York, to] whom both teams were presented before the game.
All the" Rugby international matches played so far this, season have created surprises. England, after their very fine showing in the Intter part of last season, were fully expected to beat Wales, yet they, lost at Twickenham. Thea Scotland, who lost all their intermatches expectations by winning against Wales though an English victory was mot] years, altogether unexpected, the extent of it was far beyond the prognostications of England's warmest sup-kicked off for Ireland afd, against the wind forwards, playing with} their customary dash in the loose, quickly gained a footing in English territory. A penalty was given figainst the home side for an infringement by a forward in the] loose and Murray, taking the kick} from near the 25 yd. line, sent the ball between the posts and placed Ireland three points ahead, after only © minutes' play.
the play of the English team continued to be scrappy and disappointing for a few minutes more and. then there came a. sudden change, The English backs work up and, after perfect handling by the halves and along the whole three-quarter line, Novis (Blackheath and Army) shook off two] high tackles and then handed off R.
Pratt, the Trish full-back, Zouth of nineteen, who, plays "Zor Dublin University' and Ulster, and] hurled himself over the line for a fine try. Burland, the Bristol three-quarter, took the kick, but failed to convert from a diffeult angle, leaving: the score three points When they had once got on terms, the Englishmen played a thorough ly enlivened game and there was a
whole side as compared with the complete metamorphosis "in "the shaky opening.—It was not long before there came another brilliant ful movement among. the Gadney, the Leicester hal made' a clever opening and then handed to Elliot (Navy), who set the three-quarters going, and! Burland gave the final transfer, to Booth, the Yorkshire right-wing three-quarter, just at the right moment, and the latter sprinted over with a splendid try. Burland again failed to convert. (England, 6, Ireland 8).
England now scorned definitely the "superior team and forwards and backs hammered the Ivish defence, which held out for a times England had a chance to go further ahead when penalty was awarded from 9 favourable position, but Borland was not in his best' form a place-kicking and is kick again Went astray. However, just on the terval, from a fivesjards ser Gadney' forced his way Kendrew, the Army forward, was this time entrusted with. the' kick, Dut he wae no micro successful that Burland had been.
The whistle went for half time With the scove:—England 3 tries (9 points); Ireland 1 penalty goal points).
'On the resumption, England, with ihe wind behind them, immediately, tacked strongly dnd Sadler, an! 'Army forward, playing in his' first International match, went over for! fa try, which was disallowed, as the final pass was forward.
Ireland made a desperate effort at revover'y and pressed for a and woomed to have a good d to score after a round of pasting, Dut Waldo, the Oxford Blue, badly muffed.a'Snal_ pass. Ireland continued to press, but the English defence was as firm as a rock and before long' play once more was transferred to. the other end. Burland broke through and had the line at his merey, but he threw out a bad pass to jooth and the chance was lost, quarter of an hour from the start of the second half, the game was made almost safe for England, when "Sader got, away cleverly from a line-out and, after a super! individual effort,' exessed for England. Kendrew kicked a goal, ing the score 14-3 in the home team's favour.
magnificent game England, Novis sas playing though he only came into the side through injuries to other players. He was the best player on the field,
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