AT last, at last Wales have done it. After 12 long years they have finally sent England packing in Cardiff, for the first time at the magnificent Millennium Stadium they have got the better of the old enemy.

The wait was worth while, and not even England complained about the outcome as a revitalised Wales - and new star Gavin Henson in particular - finally achieved the victory over a major country they had craved for so long.

Not since France in 2001 had Wales beaten a front-ranked team, and they had the record 74,197 crowd reaching for the tablets as in a dramatic final quarter they appeared to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory once again as they fell behind for the first time with ten minutes left.

But this team is made of sterner stuff, and almost at the end of what had been a rollercoaster of a ride up stepped Henson to take a tricky penalty on the English ten-yard line far out to the right.

There were just four minutes left and the crowd collectively held their breath, but Henson was the coolest person in the arena as he calmly slotted the kick to send the crowd into ecstasy and mark his 23rd birthday four days late.

But better late than never, and the final few minutes were absolutely deafening as the crowd went mad. Women fans screamed, everyone sang Wales home, and when New Zealand referee Steve Walsh blew his whistle for the last time bang on the 80 minutes bedlam broke out.

On the pitch the celebrations were wild enough, as skipper Gareth Thomas performed a monstrous cartwheel, players hugged one another, they leapt about in sheer joy and the entire team and replacements came back out to acknowledge the fans with a lap of honour.

What chance off the pitch, therefore, as thousands of ecstatic fans poured out of the ground straight into the pubs to begin a long night of celebration.

The whole nation feels a better place today after such a monumental victory. It wasn't a great game, the quality wasn't the best, but nobody cared about that.

For Wales had just beaten England when they weren't fancied to do it, and more than that, they had beaten the world champions to boot.

Sure, England had just five survivors from their World Cup triumph, hit by international retirements and injuries, but Wales were without their share, too, Colin Charvis, Sonny Parker and Duncan Jones all missing.

And England were up there to be shot down. Wales did just that as they scored the only try of the match - deserving of victory alone - the pack held their more vaunted opponents and a new star was born on the world stage in Henson.

Not just because of that ice-cool late penalty shot, but because of his entire game, both in attack and defence.

With ball in hand he had that extra bit of time which marks out the extra special from the mundane, he glided through half-gaps and in defence he twice dumped teenage England debut-maker Matthew Tait on the seat of his pants to make his 19th birthday yesterday one to forget.

Henson even dumped England juggernaut Julian White, who was supposed to be the rock on which Wales were going to founder.

It simply didn't work out that way because direct opponent Gethin Jenkins dug in superbly, the Welsh pack raised their game and the state of the pitch didn't assist scrummaging.

That was the one downside. The pitch, specially brought in and laid after the tsunami concert two weeks earlier, cut up badly and within minutes looked more like a ploughed field.

Fitness trainer Andrew Hore, on the touchline ready to give assistance if needed, spent his time, along with the England trainers, hurrying on to replace huge divots which embarrassingly appeared once any sort of downward pressure was applied.

That aside, it was glory all or most of the way for Wales as they took the game to England, particularly in the first half when the forwards showed their worth and played with real control.

An 8-3 interval lead would have been more comfortable than that had it not been for missed kicks by Stephen Jones and a bit more composure.

But they still scored the only try of the game when, not for the first time, a Steve Thomson throw went astray at the back and flanker Martyn Williams, who enjoyed a brilliant game, pounced on it.

From there the ball was passed gloriously from Stephen Jones to Dafyyd Jones, to Dwayne Peel, to Tom Shanklin, Gareth Thomas, Peel again, Stephen Jones again, Henson and finally Michael Owen, whose sharp rugby brain clicked in as he threw out a long, miss-pass to Shane Williams, who sped over in the corner.

It was a real cracker, worthy of the occasion, and there could have been another as Henson strode majestically through, only to be just caught by Tait with a try looking on.

But then came the incident which might have marred the match as tempestuous England lock Danny Grewcock threw out a boot at a ruck which caught Peel full on in the face.

Intentional or not, Wales captain Thomas had seen enough standing some 30 yards away.

Foolishly, and hardly setting an example as leader, he rushed in to remonstrate with Grewcock, a punch was judged to have been thrown, though it seemed more of a push, and the pair got yellow-carded.

If Thomas had only restrained himself, England alone would have been down to 14 men, a kick at goal could have resulted in three points, or possibly a try from a driving line-out could have ensued.

But penalties from Stephen Jones and England opposite number Charlie Hodgson meant that 8-3 interval lead for Wales.

The gap narrowed to just two points with a second Hodgson penalty, then agonisingly for Wales, they lost the lead with just ten minutes left when Hodgson completed his hat trick of penalties.

The game had by now lost much of its excitement as neither side appeared willing to seize the bull by the horns. Mistakes abounded and large parts of the match were confined to midfield as no-one really went for it, both appearing almost afraid to lose.

Stalemate resulted until that third Hodgson penalty set the game alight. Realising they were running out of time, they finally did rouse themselves as Henson, Shanklin, Shane Williams, Gareth Thomas and replacement Ryan Jones were all pulled down just short.

Surely this wasn't going to be yet another glorious failure? Not this time, as the prayers of the fans were answered.

A penalty to Wales some way out, and maybe one last chance. Jones didn't fancy it, a bit out of his range he felt, the crowd chanted 'Henson, Henson', and up stepped the man with the silver boots.

Henson didn't disappoint as the kick soared between the uprights and sent tens and tens of thousands of Welsh supporters into sheer ecstasy.

It will be difficult keeping the lid on after this as talk of titles, Triple Crowns and Grand Slams will take over.

The time to celebrate isn't long, for it's on to Italy this week for Saturday's potential banana skin in the suburbs of Rome.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock will know the job is nowhere near complete, he will try to dampen down expectations and plan for Italy.

Just another game after one victory, he'll say - but what a victory!

Wales: G Thomas (captain), H Luscombe (K Morgan 64), T Shanklin, G Henson, S Williams, S Jones, D Peel (G Cooper 60), G Jenkins, M Davies, A Jones (J Yapp 73), B Cockbain (J Thomas 73), R Sidoli, D Jones (R Jones 63), M Owen, M Williams. Scorers - try: S Williams; penalties (2): S Jones. England: J Robinson (captain), M Cueto, M Tait (O Barkley 59), J Noon, J Lewsey, C Hodgson, M Dawson (H Ellis 63), G Rowntree (P Vickery 66), S Thompson, J White (G Rowntree 72), D Grewcock (S Borthwick 66), B Kay, C Jones, J Worsley (J Forrester 40-42), A Hazell. Scorers - penalties (3): C Hodgson.