Services Rugby
Cycling Soldiers Deliver Match Ball
Eight intrepid military men from the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment, cycled 1,000 miles in seven days around the clubs and regions involved in the LV= Cup. They were aiming to raise funds and awareness for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes. Having called in at Twickenham Stadium en route, they delivered the match ball for the Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby LV= Cup final at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium. Sgt Barry Davies, who came up with the idea was in the back up team with Lieutenant Steve McNeallie, while those on the bikes were: Major Jim Lambeth, Staff Sgt Jay Butler, Sgt Nikki Dearing, Sgt Dan Tucker, Sgt Martin Bentley, Cpl Paul Sim, Lance Cpl Mark Glancy and Signaller Joe Birtles.
Discover more at www.rhinopoppy.co.uk
The MasterCard Trophy England v Barbarians Exclusive Forces 2-for-1 Tickets
Amanda Inkley
British Military Forces (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) are now eligible for an exclusive ticket offer allowing them to purchase two tickets for the price of one for the MasterCard Trophy at Twickenham Stadium when England take on the world famous Barbarians on Sunday 30th May 2010. *This exclusive offer is only applicable to seats priced £35 and £25, it does not apply to top category seats. The 2010 MasterCard Trophy is the 751st fixture since the Barbarians was founded in 1890 and is an opportunity to see a full strength England team perform against world-class opposition ahead of the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand. As with recent encounters between the two sides the game promises high quality, challenging star-studded rugby.
This exclusive Forces ticket offer is available solely through the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the National Governing body for Rugby Union in England, and is recognition of the strong ties between the Union and the military. The RFU has dedicated Constituent Bodies for each of the armed forces and has been a significant supporter of Help 4 Heroes in the past with regular visits to Twickenham by injured servicemen from Selly Oak and Headley Court.
To take up the offer an application form needs to be completed. Go to rfu.com/tickets for more information and the application form.
Army Final Pits Welsh v Welsh
Roger Thompson
1st Battalion Welsh Guards 26
2nd Battalion Royal Welsh 31
The Army Premiership Final saw the Welsh Guards produce top quality rugby against unassailable opponents in the The Royal Welsh. The Guards No8 Chris Scarf opened the bidding and turned the Royals’ defence and his team played tough rugby in the shadow of the Royals posts, forcing penalties. Three times hooker Matt Dwyer stepped up to hoof the ball over the bar.
The Royals looked far from subdued and after the first Dwyer penalty spread the ball with massive confidence. Elusive running by inside centre Jonni Nabulivou gave Graham Mansfield a clear run in. It was a signal of Royal Welsh intent but the ball was not easy to find. On 23 minutes they could have blown the match when the No6 Battivagone was binned. However, the Guards failed to capitalize on the advantage. A stand out player was the Royals tight-head prop, Chris Budgen. At Aldershot he seized every opportunity and finished a great Royals try on half time driving the best part of a metre, to make it Guards 9 - Royal Welsh 10 at the break.
The third quarter was intense. Budgen crossed for a second try and scrum half Morgan Evans flew over close to the posts. Fifteen points adrift, the Guards’ pride in the famous green and white shirts was evident as they regrouped. Barbarian prop Mel Lewis had a rumble into the ‘22’. Lock Steve George smashed across the line; as did replacement Nabs Nabukebuke. and a second for George reduced the deficit to five points with ten minutes left on the clock.
The capacity crowd cheered a final where regimental traditions and recent operational history ensured that only the very best would be good enough. A tremendous and hard-fought contest from the Royal Welsh and the Welsh Guards.
