Wales beats England

LONDON – Wales stayed on course for a successful defence of its Six Nations title despite a hugely improved performance by England with a 23-15 win that took it to the top of the standings.

While France beat visiting Scotland 22-13 for its first tournament win this season, Wales took advantage of the indiscipline that led to two yellow cards for England to clinch victory despite being outscored two tries to one.’We were in the game despite the penalties and the sinbinnings,’ said England manager Martin Johnson, who had never previously lost at Millennium Stadium in a career in which he captained his country to the World Cup. England showed more attacking intent than in its laborious opening victory over Italy and trailed by just a point at halftime, but Andy Goode was handed England’s second yellow card of the match at the start of the second period and Wales immediately added 11 decisive points.Stephen Jones struck the third and fourth of his five penalties and Leigh Halfpenny touched down to round off a swift counterattack to help establish a 20-8 advantage that England was unable to overturn.Wing Delon Armitage scored a solo try England’s second to just one for Wales and the conversion trimmed the deficit to five points but an overwhelming penalty count against the visitors handed the home side a crucial edge. Jones hit his last penalty in the 72nd to finish with 15 points from the boot as Wales equalled the tournament record for eight consecutive wins. – Nampa-AFP