Kay leads the way

By Mike Hill
June 24 2002

Leicester's trio of Ben Kay, Lewis Moody and Tim Stimpson all enjoyed fine games as England defied expectation and beat a strong Argentina side. Everyone who watched the home team narrowly edge out France the week before will know what a fine achievement this was.

Argentina 18 England 26

After a good start England became bogged down as the tackles came thundering in and the signs were ominous. England had taken the lead through a Charlie Hodgson penalty goal but Quesada hit back with four goals from four attempts as the blue and whites took control. Hodgson missed two kicks and the England scrummage was creaking badly. They were also giving away too many turnovers to construct any continuity of play.

The Argentine fly half's normally immaculate kicking suffered a hiccup on the stroke of half time as he sent one narrowly wide and England went in to the interval 12-3 down. Ben Kay was for once one of the most experienced players in the pack and he certainly led from the front. He is credited with spotting that Argentina were drifting early at the rucks and exploited this to great effect.

Lewis Moody took Pichot left and Gomarsall gave a reverse pass to Ben Kay who burst through a huge gap and sprinted fully forty metres to the line. This was the turning point of the game as England regained their self confidence and started to dominate. The lineouts were working smoothly and Argentina's greatest weapon their scrummaging power was negated. As England remembered in the second half if you keep hold of the ball there aren't going to be many scrums.

Charlie Hodgson ran the game well from ten and showed real pace with a couple of lightning breaks. His distribution was slick but centres Appleford and Johnstone didn't make much of an impact on a strong Argentine midfield. It was left to prop David Flatman to create the second try with a surprising burst through the middle. Phil Christophers was on hand to take the pass and showed real class with a super step off his left foot that wrongfooted the fullback and he glided over for a score under the posts.

Hodgson converted both tries before Argentina rallied and forced two more penalties to make the score 21-16. England knew one more score would see them home so when they were awarded a penalty in 'Stimpson territory' (any part of the field more than 50 metres from the posts) Tim stepped up to calmly secure the win. Surely there is a place in the team for a player with Tim's playing attributes and singing ability.

Imagine the scenario England trail Australia by two points in the last minute of the World Cup final and win a penalty on their own ten metre line. What should they do? Call for a kicking tee, Stimmo and a cigar. Come on Clive you don't win seven trophies in four seasons without being a quality fullback.