england and ireland began the competition in early february, england comprehensively defeating their visitors 7–0 in sheffield and taking the initial tournament lead. scotland joined them with a strong victory over ireland in their first game, but england again seized the top slot with their own defeat of wales. in their final match, ireland succeeded in achieving their first ever international victory with a 4–1 win over wales in belfast, to put them in third position. england and scotland then played a deciding match in blackburn, scotland only just running out 3–2 winners after a very tough game. in the final match, scotland beat wales in wrexham to outstrip england's points total and win the trophy.