Match Report

This international rugby league match at St. Helens, Swansea on Saturday was played under ideal conditions and an anticipated fast open and entertaining game was fully realised.

The rugby league game is essentially quick moving, for there is no line-out no loose scrummaging and no intentional kick to land in touch, while there is no time lost in getting the ball in the set scrums. The character of the game has changed so quickly that one moment a side will be sorely taxed to keep its line intact and the very next moment it will be exerting severe pressure on the opposing citadel.

The Welsh team deserved their victory for they showed the more initiative and finesse during the first half although as the game progressed the French team overcoming their natural impetuosity match the Welshmen in skill and design.

The passing, and there was an abundance of it, was well executed but when the forward to hand in much of it it was purely mechanical and easy to frustrate. Apart from a few instances of high and tackling the defence on both sides was of a high standard.

W.T. Davies and Puig Aubert, the two full-backs, had much to do, and neither made a mistake. The latter, a diminutive player, endcared himself to the crowd by his coolness under pressure and his elusiveness.

Gareth Price and N. Harris at Centre had a very good match. Price made one brilliant interception and after covering half the field served N. Harris who was brought down inches only from the line. These two, with W. G. Morgan and R. Williams contributed the best bit of interpassing when Harris scored his try. E. Walters and R. Lloyd were two resolute runners but the most prominent of the backs was our Williams who played his role with distinction.

The forwards had as many opportunities of handling as the backs and in this connections G. Gwyther, D. Phillips and L.M. Thomas were frequently in the picture.

Comes and Maso played well for France at centre and the two wings Lespes and Trescases showed much grit and determination as they Korean along the touchline. The flying leap of Lespes over the head of W. T. Davies to score the last try was a thrilling climax to a pleasing afternoon's spectacle.

Berthomiau, Brouse and Pibert were the shining lights of the virile forwards.

For Wales, tries were scored by N. Harris, E. Walters and R. Williams, goals by W. T. Davies. For France, tries by COmes, Brousse, Lespes and goals by Puig Aubert.

Please note that we don't have scorer times, so the timeline below is not in order.