Lives in Cricket No 30 - MJK Smith

31 have the stronger pack, and the backs took the blame for the 8-5 defeat. A converted try gave Wales a five-point lead at half-time, but when Allison landed a penalty there was renewed hope for England supporters. Mike then made the mistake that would come to haunt him. ‘I had a drop at goal. It was charged down, bounced back over the three-quarters and the left wing scored.’ Grainy film from Pathé News shows Cowboy Davies crossing the line near the corner with a valiant MJK just failing to bring him down. England went on to defeat Ireland and Scotland before losing in Paris. For all the remaining matches the selectors retained the same pack, but there were changes in the back division, where both half backs were dropped after the first match. Jeeps would return to earn 37 international caps, but the scrum half berth now went to Johnny Williams, while there was a recall for Regan in Mike’s place. As he looks back Mike still sees the irony of the half- back pairings in the Wales match. ‘Dickie would have preferred to have played with his Lions partner Cliff Morgan and I would have preferred to play with David Brace.’ A cricketer’s hands on an oval ball The match programme notes on England’s two new half-backs, against Wales at Twickenham in January 1956. Jeeps, who also played Minor Counties cricket for Cambridgeshire, eventually made 37 international appearances.