It's Jonny!

And the glory came courtesy of "golden boots" Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked a stunning 30-yard drop goal in the dying seconds of extra time to beat rivals Australia 20-17.

Earlier, England's speed king Jason Robinson had scored a stunning try and weighed in with a match-saving tackle to stop the Wallabies notching a critical try.

Aussies beaten as final ends in kick drama

AT York Rugby Club, a hundred fans sat glued to a giant screen, a hundred hearts in their mouths, before Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute kick brought England victory.

The World Cup's nerve-shredding climax saw the England followers swinging crazily from agony to ecstasy.

Many could hardly bear to watch as the last minutes of the hard-fought game were played out for the half-confident, half-fearful fans.

Their early excitement ebbed away as England failed to make the most of their chances. Then excitement turned to desperation; frantic applause for every positive England move, and groans and cries over every missed opportunity.

Stony faces and silence crept over the viewers who could not stand to watch Australia creep back into the game.

"I'm going to have a heart attack if we don't win this game", said John Judge, one retired player.

There were agonised moans and fans heads buried their heads in their hands with every finger crossed as Australia tied the game in the final minutes before extra time.

"It's just too unbelievably tense, there's just been too many errors," said York first-teamer Matt Halifax.

But as the game went into extra time, there were roars of delight, and everyone leapt to their feet as Jonny Wilkinson gave England their famous victory.

Pubs, sports shops and bookies enjoyed bumper trade in the build-up to today's match. Aussie landlord Paul Clarey, who runs the Rose And Crown pub, in Lawrence Street, with his sister, Georgia, had been trading friendly banter with his English customers, many of whom watched the match in the pub.

Updated: 12:20 Saturday, November 22, 2003