Cymro a'r Celt Llundain

FOOTBALL NOTES AND NEWS. NORTHAMPTON 12 POINTS. LONDON WELSH 5" THE London Welsh failed to reproduce their Christ- mas form at Northampton on Saturday last with the result that they were badly beaten by 7 points. The Welsh forwards were beaten in the scrum- mage, and they felt to a great extent the absence of Jenkins from their side. J enkinsis, without doubt, their best scrummage forward, he being an adept at hooking the ball, while his display in the open is always first class. Northampton scored twice in the first half through West and Panting, and during the second period they added two further tries by Burke and Brown. The Welsh backs got going near the end of the game, and Neagle -who had played a very inferior game to what he has done before this season-scored the visitors' only try, which Harding con- verted, the result being Northampton four tries, London Welsh 1 goal. Evans, the Welsh back, played well; the backs were only fair, but they had very few chances to shine, owing to the forwards being unable to secure the ball. Harding was good, Clay and J. F. Williams were fair, but none of them played a great game. "EASTERN COUNTIES' CUP." LONDON WELSH "A" 14 POINTS. UPPER CLAPTON NIL. The London Welsh A" XV secured a great victory in their cup tie with Upper Clapton, on Saturday last at West Ham by 1 goal and 3 tries to nil. The victors played well and fully deserved their points. Levi Jones scored 3 tries and W. Rees 1 try, 1 being converted by C. Rhys. The A team will now have to meet either Leytonstone or Ilford Wanderers in the final, and I think they should secure the cup. The A team were 1 short at the start, but they secured the services of J. C. Jenkins, who was on the ground, and he played a very fine game for them on the left wing. The display at Richmond last Saturday between the London Scottish and Harlequins, has left me fairly certain on two points, first, that the London Welsh with a full side out would defeat either of them and, secondly, that the Scotch backs will have to show very much better form on Saturday next at Swan- sea before they can hope to run Wales to a close finish, let alone defeat them. The Harlequin forwards secured the ball in most monotonous fashion, but their backs outside Birkett were third-rate: they missed glorious opportunities time after time, which had they been taken would have won them the match. I am sorry that the Welsh failed to secure fixtures with either side for this season, let us hope they will meet next year. A. F. Harding has accepted the invitation of the Rugby Union to tour in New Zealand with the British team, and now that he has decided to go, I rather fancy he will be offered the Captaincy of the team. He is fully qualified for the position, and he deserves it, since he is the only Inter- national' who was on the last tour that is going again. Harding, Williams, Morgan, and Dyke of the Welsh; J. P. Jones and Tuan Jones, Pontypool Gibbs, Thomas, Williams, and Smith of Cardiff Green, Neath, A. Smith, Glamorgan and Hayward of Swansea, have all accepted invitations to go. I trust that Maddocks and Jenkins will also be able to accept. How I wish I had their opportunity Next Saturday, Devon Albion will visit the Welsh at West Ham. I trust the Welsh sup- porters will turn up in great numbers, the gates of the past home games have been very small. WELSH FORWARD.