England 42 v Scotland 20

3-2-2007 - Calcutta Match Review

England won the Calcutta Cup on a chilly but perfect day for rugby and delighted the Twickenham crowd.  The outcome of this day could not have been scripted any better.  It is what tales and legends are made of. 
So if you would allow me a moment of poetic licence with the following bit of fun

Are you sitting comfortably?  Then let me begin............

Once upon a time many years ago in the Antipodes a land to be found down under on the Earth star planet in our galaxy.  A group of fine Jedi rugby players known as Team England set off to win the Rugby World Cup, a feat  they had never achieved before.   Now on the star date of  22nd November 2003 our glorious Jedi Knights achieved their goal with hard work and the help of a talisman's boot.   Ah! Yes the force was with us that day.  

However, as Team England turned to the light, danced and made merry a curse was put on England and it's Jedi Knights, none more so than their talisman Jedi Jonny Skywalker.  For three years and more he lay languishing from all kinds of ailments.   England searched for another to replace him, some held the evil force for a while but to no avail.

And then one bright sunny day the spell lifted and  Jonny Sky-walker returned to face England's old enemy Scotland. Young  Jonny Sky-walker had not played for England since last kicking the drop goal that won the RWC2003.  He had only 50mins playing time prior to this game and like a Falcon rising from the ashes (I know, I know it was not a Falcon but hey poetic licence remember!)  - he stepped out into the arena and the force flowed, not just through him but the whole of the England team and Twickenham crowd.

Yoda says; Learn he will, Impetuous still is he, Clever is he, much more to do but the Force is undoubtedly with him

and until next time  May the Force be with you All!

Photo Courtsey of TracyWilko

Back to the real world....

We set off on our usual drive down from Newcastle to Twickenham, six hours it took yesterday!  All the time I kept thinking, I hope I am wrong about Jonny not being ready for this game.  Madness I said!  

Thank you God is all I can say now, how wrong I was!

From the moment the England Team ran onto the Twickenham turf , an air of expectation permeated the crowd.   Within the first 10mins Wilkinson went down but up he popped with a bloody mouth at one point I thought the ref., was going to insist on him leaving the field for blood but all was well he stayed on.

The Scrum was a particular problem in the first half, the amount of times it had to be reset and it seemed that we could not get quick ball. All in all a very stop, start affair and neither team really getting into their game.    

Penalties exchanged and penalties missed including one from Jonny and he missed a couple of conversions also!  Having said that, his personal tally of points regardless of Try or No Try was astounding for a player who has not seen international rugby for over three years.   

Yesterday was like a fairytale, he dominates all the media today and so he should for battling back after all the trial he has had to endure but let us not forget the other team members.   

It was a delight and pleasure to see Jason Robinson back and although I think most teams have worked out how to stop him, he managed to get passed the Scots on two occasions.  The second try I feel was gifted to us and I actually felt a bit sorry for the Scots because if the ball had bounced the other way it would have been a different story.    Tinds was awesome and his presence on the pitch showed with some crunching tackles,  Ellis finally came of age but I would like to see him try and get the ball out a bit  quicker sometimes!   Worsley worked like a lion and deserves to be in the team, I know he has his critics but don't they all? Worsley was a shining example of a team player yesterday.   The whole team apart from some early odd handling errors, they all shone even Farrell who at first looked like he was doing nothing but I honestly think he was feeling the nerves of the occasion at the beginning.

The Magnus Lund TRY nobody saw that coming, I was jumping up and down like a mad women at that point and let us not forget our new Captain Phil who was just what the doctor ordered, mean aggressive.

The whole team has been lifted and they seemed now to have confidence back, now you could lay that at the door of  Jonny Wilkinson and as an England Fan, I am going to.

I have never been at Twickenham when a player has been replace before the game ended to a Standing Ovation by the Twickenham crowd.  Fans around me were singing 'We Love You Jonny'  and the smiles on their faces were joyous.

On the way out of Twickenham walking up the road to Whitton, fans were on their mobiles the buzz was amazing and one guy I overheard on his mobile said "Hi where are you, we have just come out, fantastic time - Wilkinson was unbelievable" and at that I listened no more.

No my usual match report but it was not a usual day at the office .................   I wonder if he is training to be a Jedi Master

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon