By Kath 18/10/03
October 18 2003

As the teams came out you could hear the Barmy Army singing out 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot', England's Official Song for the World Cup. It certainly made my skin crawl to hear the sound reverberating around the Subiaco stadium. The atmosphere was almost tangible and the tension unbelievable!.

Fourth minute in England were awarded a Penalty - Jonny Wilkinson slotted the ball over.  Then on 18mins England uncharacteristically gave a penalty away - Louis Koen made no mistake and the game was all square.

Great exciting play and yet lots of silly errors by both teams!  The match seemed to be turning into a Penalty Kick Out match, Jonny's next penalty 27mins - then Koen missed two sitters but got the next on the 40min.  England were lucky not to go in at the end of the first half down by six points.

Edge of the seat stuff throughout the first half and  some excellent ball handling skills by England.  However,  South Africa came back and put England on the back foot making them struggled to hold the attack at times.

Half Time:  South Africa 6 v England 6  

The second half started the same as the first with a Jonny Wilkinson penalty slotted over on the 43min, then 45mins Neil Back had to go off for a blood injury ( had to laugh at Referee Marshall - who said to Backy - "You look Ugly Mate")!  Joe Worsely came on and immediately England moved up the field to the South African 22line.  England piling the pressure on South Africa and England awarded another penalty  - Jonny Wilkinson 51mins.

Then 63mins Moody charged down a South African kick, Greenwood kicked on and went over for the only Try of the match, Jonny Wilkinson converted 64mins.

Then from around the Subiaco Oval once again you could hear the Barmy Army singing 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' at the top of their voices.  Oh what a sound that was to hear!

66mins in Jonny Wilkinson now much more settled takes a ball in the pocket and drops the sweetest of Drop Goals, my mind went back to the last World Cup when England were dumped out, by a South African Drop Goal and I must admit I felt great satisfaction at this one going over.  

71 mins Luger on for Tindall and 73 mins Jason Leonard on for Woodman.

75mins - the final points of the match another Drop Goal by Wilkinson - straight through the beating heart of South Africa.

 

FINAL SCORE:  South Africa 6 v England 25

England and South Africa both showed signs of the nervous tension that had built up prior to this match.  Credit to South Africa they pressurised England in the scrumaging area and gave Jonny Wilkinson no time on the ball, consequently lots of play throughout the match seemed rushed.  

At times I felt some of the England players were trying to force the play too quickly and we made some very silly schoolboy errors.  These will no doubt be addressed and worked on during the week.

England I felt missed Richard Hill today, he has such presence on the park and whilst Moody had a excellent game overall - I feel it might have shaped up a little differently if Hill had been playing.

Unofficial England's Man of the Match - Kyran Bracken ( who was outstanding today)!