England top of the world Down Under

After almost 100 minutes of blood, sweat and tears, England’s rugby team secured on Saturday the major trophy which has eluded all the ...

After almost 100 minutes of blood, sweat and tears, England’s rugby team secured on Saturday the major trophy which has eluded all the country’s sports teams since their soccer side won the 1966 World Cup.

A deft drop goal in the 19th minute of extra time — in a match rated as among the all-time greats — by Jonny Wilkinson gave England a 20-17 win over Australia, the first time a team from the northern hemisphere have won the Webb Ellis Cup.

With the vocal support of an estimated 40,000 travelling fans, England led defending champions Australia 14-5 at halftime on a rain-drenched pitch at the Olympic Stadium. No team has won the World Cup after trailing at half-time but the resilient Wallabies restored parity through an Elton Flatley penalty with two minutes to go. At 14-14, the final went into extra time for only the second time in five tournaments.

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Jonny Wilkinson, already assured of sporting immortality after his performance last Sunday against France, kicked a 45 metre penalty. Flatley replied and at 17-17 the match was still wide open.

Then Wilkinson took over.

So euphoric were the England fans with the result that, long after their team had left the field with the trophy in hand, hundreds remained in the stands dancing, kissing and singing along to Queen’s unofficial anthem We are the champions. (Reuters)