LONDON, Nov 16: England completed an unprecedented third straight victory over Australia with a thrilling 32-31 success against the world champions in a game full of twists and turns at Twickenham Saturday

England dominated the first half, moving into a 16-6 lead with a Ben Cohen try, but Australia, who were beaten 18-9 by Ireland last week, turned the match around either side of the break with two tries for centre Elton Flatley and one for winger Wendell Sailor.

Matt Burke’s boot stretched the lead to 31-19 early in the second half but the ever-accurate boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who bagged a record 22 points, and a second try for Cohen hauled England into a one-point lead with 10 minutes to go.

Australia had the chance to win it four minutes from time but Burke was wide with his penalty attempt, and England held on to beat their old rivals three times in a row for the first time in 93 years of matches.

Meanwhile, England manager Clive Woodward and his players were delighted with their victory over Australia paying particular attention to the battling comeback from a 12-point deficit.

“I don’t think we played that well but it’s just a great comeback,” Woodward told Sky Sports.

“In the first half we seemed to be cruising it, then lost our way.

“But we didn’t panic, we could have done, but the character really came through and to come back like that is huge.”—Reuters