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Late Wales rally stuns England

Wales dramatically overcame a 10 point deficit to beat England 26-19 in their Six Nations opener as they won at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years on Saturday.

Victory gave New Zealander Warren Gatland a victory in his first game as Wales coach and ultimately provided justification for his decision to field 13 players from the Neath-Swansea Ospreys in his starting line-up.

Wales, 19-9 down just short of the hour mark, took the game away from England in bold fashion as the previously in-control hosts were panicked into a succession of errors.

James Hook, who landed all six of his kicks, began the fightback proper when he was missed by England wing Paul Sackey and his pass sent in full-back Lee Byrne for the try.

From the restart, Mike Phillips charged down full-back Iain Balshaw's clearance kick.

Gethin Jenkins recovered, found Martyn Willams and the Cardiff flanker released scrum-half Phillips who stretched for the line and touched down for the try.

Hook added the extras and England, whose only points in the second half came from a Jonny Wilkinson penalty, were in a state of disbelief as Wales triumphed at Twickenham for the first time since an 11-3 win in 1988.

At halftime England, showing seven changes from the side that lost the World Cup final to South Africa, were 16-6 ahead.

But they could have been further in front had they made the most of their openings inside the Welsh 22, having dominated up front and repeatedly turned over their opponents' ball.

It took England just 12 seconds to go into the lead.

From Wilkinson's kick-off, which saw Wales penalized for holding onto the ball, the outside-half made no mistake from 40m.

Hook responded in kind in the third minute but, soon afterwards, his kick out of defense was fielded by David Strettle and the England wing beat six Welsh players as he ran the ball back.

Strettle punted ahead and the chance of a try disappeared, although Wilkinson's second penalty made it 6-3.

Up front England were dominating and another visit to the Welsh 22 provided the platform for a Wilkinson drop-goal which extended the lead to 9-3.

That pressure was rewarded with the only try of the first half in the 23rd minute.

Wilkinson's expertly weighted cross-kick was well caught by Vainikolo, the man nicknamed the "Volcano" overpowering Mark Jones and his pass released center Toby Flood for a try. Wilkinson converted and England were 16-3 ahead.

It was a worrying situation for Wales, but Hook kept them in touch with his second penalty.

Wilkinson's third successful penalty in the second half stretched the lead to 19-6.

Wales though got back into the game and Hook's third penalty reduced England's lead to 10 points heading into the final quarter.
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