SPORTS DIGEST: 10-16 November 2025
International break week: Limited domestic action as Premier League paused for autumn internationals.
RUGBY UNION
England end 13-Year Twickenham drought with dominant All Blacks Victory
England – Autumn Nations Series England 33-19 New Zealand (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham) – Saturday, November 15
England produced a rousing second-half performance to secure their first home victory over New Zealand since 2012, ending a 13-year drought at Twickenham with a commanding 33-19 triumph. George Ford orchestrated the comeback from 12-0 down, scoring two crucial first-half drop goals before man-of-the-match performances from Sam Underhill and Fraser Dingwall sealed the result in front of 81,953 fans.
The All Blacks raced into an early 12-0 lead through tries from Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor, silencing Twickenham within 18 minutes. But England’s response was immediate and intelligent. Ollie Lawrence bulldozed over for the hosts before Ford’s two drop goals cut the deficit to just 12-11 at half-time, transforming the complexion of a match that seemed to be slipping away.
The second half belonged entirely to England. Underhill crashed over just three minutes after the restart to give England their first lead, before Dingwall extended it with a try under the posts at 55 minutes. Although Will Jordan’s 66th-minute try briefly threatened an All Blacks revival, Ford’s 76th-minute penalty and Tom Roebuck’s late score sealed England’s 10th consecutive victory. This landmark win not only ended New Zealand’s recent dominance but extended England’s remarkable unbeaten run to double figures under Steve Borthwick.
Richmond hold nerve to edge Hartpury in Friday night thriller
Richmond – Champ Rugby Richmond 17-12 Hartpury (Athletic Ground, Richmond) – Friday, November 14
Richmond secured their second consecutive Champ Rugby victory with a hard-fought 17-12 win over Hartpury at the Athletic Ground, though they were made to sweat by two late tries from the visitors. Head coach Rob Powell praised his side’s defensive resilience after they tackled their hearts out to preserve a five-point lead earned through first-half dominance.
Richmond controlled the opening period, with tries from Jones in the 30th minute and Addams just after the break establishing a commanding 17-0 advantage. Grieve converted both scores and added a penalty in the 47th minute to extend the lead, leaving Hartpury facing a mountain to climb in their first season at this level.
But the visitors refused to surrender, with Morgan crossing twice in the final 10 minutes to set up a grandstand finish. Lennon’s conversion of the first try cut the gap to 17-12 with time running out, and Richmond’s nerves were rattled as Hartpury pressed for a match-winning score. The home side held firm, however, securing their second win in seven days and maintaining their push for a strong finish in their first campaign back in the Championship after promotion from National League 1.
FOOTBALL
Kane double seals perfect World Cup qualifying campaign for England
England – FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Albania 0-2 England (Arena Kombëtare, Tirana) – Sunday, November 16
Harry Kane struck twice in eight minutes to seal England’s perfect World Cup qualifying campaign, as Thomas Tuchel’s side completed an unprecedented eight wins from eight matches without conceding a single goal. The Bayern Munich striker’s clinical finishing in the 74th and 82nd minutes gave England a 2-0 victory in Tirana, wrapping up their Group K dominance with 24 points from a possible 24.
England controlled possession for much of the match, enjoying 65% of the ball, but found Albania’s well-drilled defence difficult to break down in a goalless first half. The hosts, already assured of a playoff place after finishing second in the group, defended resolutely and created their own opportunities on the counter-attack, forcing Jordan Pickford into several saves.
Tuchel made seven changes from Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley, with Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen coming into the attacking midfield roles. The rotation paid dividends after the break, as Kane’s predatory instincts proved the difference. His first goal came in the 74th minute, poking home from close range after Bukayo Saka’s corner was diverted into his path, before he added a second eight minutes later with a powerful header from Marcus Rashford’s precise cross to put the result beyond doubt and send England into the 2026 World Cup with an immaculate record – 22 goals scored, zero conceded across the entire qualifying campaign.
Kerr stars as Chelsea women cruise to commanding Champions League win
Chelsea Women – UEFA Women’s Champions League SKN St. Pölten 0-6 Chelsea (St. Pölten, Austria) – Monday, November 11
Sam Kerr marked her first Chelsea start since December 2023 with two goals as the defending WSL champions climbed to second in their Women’s Champions League group with a commanding 6-0 victory in Austria. The Australian striker, recently returned from an ACL injury, demonstrated her enduring quality with clinical finishes in the 75th minute and stoppage time to cap a dominant performance from Sonia Bompastor’s side.
Chelsea established control early through Wieke Kaptein’s 12th-minute opener, with the Netherlands international slipping the ball beyond goalkeeper Carina Schlüter after excellent work from Catarina Macario and Ellie Carpenter. Macario herself added a brace before Kerr entered the action, with the Portuguese forward’s goals in the 32nd and 68th minutes putting the result beyond doubt.
The visitors’ superiority was such that even Lisa Ebert’s own goal felt inevitable, sandwiched between Kerr’s two strikes as Chelsea recorded their most emphatic away victory of the Champions League campaign. The comprehensive win maintained Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the season across all competitions and demonstrated the squad depth Bompastor has at her disposal, with Kerr’s return from injury providing another potent attacking option as the Blues chase European glory.
INTERNATIONAL BREAK NOTES
Putney-area domestic football paused: Chelsea, Fulham, and AFC Wimbledon all without fixtures this week as the Premier League international break continues. AFC Wimbledon’s scheduled League One match against Stockport County was postponed due to international call-ups.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
November 17-23:
- England vs Argentina (Sunday, November 23, Twickenham) – England seek fourth consecutive Autumn Nations Series win
- Premier League action resumes: Chelsea fixtures return
- Fulham back in action playing Sunderland at Craven Cottage
- AFC Wimbledon rescheduled fixtures
- Richmond continue Champ Rugby campaign
STORY OF THE WEEK
England’s 33-19 victory over New Zealand at Twickenham was more than just three points – it was 13 years of hurt finally laid to rest. Not since 2012 had England beaten the All Blacks on home soil, enduring nine losses and one draw in that period. George Ford’s masterclass, featuring two drop goals and immaculate game management, orchestrated the comeback from 12-0 down and epitomised the composure that has characterised England’s remarkable 10-match winning streak. With over 81,000 fans creating an electric atmosphere at the Allianz Stadium, this wasn’t just England’s ninth-ever victory over New Zealand in 120 years of competition – it was a statement that they’re serious contenders heading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
