Match Report

IN one of the best Rugby League internationals seen at St. Helen's, Swansea. Wales, with a great rally fifteen minutes from a the end. scored 13 points to defeat last year's champions, France.

The technicolour brilliance of the streamlined Frenchmen was dimmed by the inspired Welshmen, who were irresistible during the closing stages of the game. Les Williams, the former Cardiff centre, was the match-winner behind the scrum for Wales, and he started the rot in the ranks of the French. His raking bursts through the centre added the thrust which was lacking by Wales at Abertillery.

However, it was the Welsh pack who paved the way to victory. Osmond outhooked Durand four to one and he was well backed-up by props Danter and Hawkins. In the loose Gwyther, last-minute choice for the second row, and Goldswain predominated.

Glyn Morgan, Cardiff, working the scrum, took every advantage of his forwards' dominance and sent out a fine service, which Jack Davies used to good effect. while Ralph Morgan, the Welsh captain and full-back, outshone the more colourful Puig Aubert.

The feature of the match was the grim, determined tackling of Wales, even if it nearly always took two Welshmen to pull down a Frenchman.

Where the visitors failed was their sacrifice of sure handling for speed, although they were unfortunate to be without their centre and captain, Dejean, for the whole of the second half.

In the loose Negrier was a hard. if rebust, forward. and Duffort and Ulma impressed. Dejean, until his injury, was the best of the French backs.

One incident marred the match. A Frenchman appeared to kick Osmond and he had to be carried off. Referee Dobson while looking for the guilty man was pushed by the gesticulating Frenchmen. The Welsh rally followed. There is no doubt the Welshmen were roused. 'and it proved disastrous to the French team, whose previous "fire" was like a flickering candle compared to the white hot heat of Wales.

Scorers for Wales were. goals, R. Morgan (2) tries, W. Williams (2). Gwyther and G. Morgan. France, goal. Puig Aubert; tries, Contrastin and Lespes.

Due to the lack of timings recorded, the score timeline below is not in order.