15 Nov 2009

England claim unconvincing win over Argentina

6:35 am on 15 November 2009

A late try by winger Matt Banahan helped the England rugby team scrape a 16-9 victory over an inexperienced Argentina in another uninspired display at Twickenham.

After a first half littered with up-and-unders and handling errors with barely a passing move, the teams were level at 9-all after a drop goal and two penalties from Jonny Wilkinson and three penalties from debutant Puma centre Martin Rodriguez.

When Wilkinson then missed three successive penalty attempts the home fans, many of whom had booed their own team off at halftime, were fearing another defeat after last week's loss to Australia.

They were spared that humiliation when the giant Banahan finally broke through after a rare backline move.

England still ended the game defending desperately on their own line against a Puma side who also missed three penalties.