Services Rugby
Navy's future shipshape
Royal Navy U23 9 – 3 Army U23
The Royal Navy U23s opened their inter service account with a win over arch rivals the Army. The early exchanges saw both sides try to gain the upper hand, with a series of knock ons stopping them. The opening score came from a penalty on the Army 22; centre AB (WS) Duggan slotting the kick to give the Navy a 3-0 advantage after ten minutes. The Army pack fought to dominate, keeping the ball tight with a pick and go technique and they would have crossed the Navy line but for resolute defence and a penalty on the 22 assisting the Navy in clearing their lines. The Army spent prolonged periods in the Navy half and with Navy prop OCT Blackburn in the sin bin, fly half CPL K Cummings eventually slotted a penalty to tie the scores 3-3.The Navy responded immediately with another penalty kicked by Duggan, making it 6-3 at the break In the second half Duggan made it 9 - 3 with his third penalty. As the game drew to a close the army threw everything at the Navy team, who held firm to record a win over their fiercest rivals.
Army's centenary triple crown
Roger Thompson
Gareth libby turns up the heat
The Army closed a highly successful Centenary Year with a 26-8 win over South African Defence Forces at Aldershot, bringing the Reds a convincing ‘triple crown’ of victories over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa DF. On the day the difference lay in the forwards where the Army challenged for possession at every set piece. Time and again the Reds stole the ‘Boks line out ball to the point where the Army backs ceased to line up defensively at throw-ins. The set piece scrums went massively in favour of the Army against a heavier South African eight LCpl Melvyn Lewis (Welsh Guards), Cpl Georgie Kemble (1 WELSH) and Sgt Steve Trethewey (REME) playing his final game in a Reds’ shirt, were outstanding. Slick hands and fast feet navigated a narrow passage through the ‘Boks defence for full back Spr Rhydian Slade Jones (RE) to cruise under the posts. The ‘Boks responded with one of the best tries ever seen at Aldershot and the South Africans were well organized and would remain strong to the final whistle Gdsm Rob Sweeney (Welsh Guards), the Reds fly half, put in another convincing performance, with swift distribution while in defence his boot regained massive tracts of the Aldershot Stadium. He amassed a total of 16 points from the kicking tee and was a worthy winner of the Man of the Match Award—voted for by the ‘ Boks! The Army back row on the night was shorn of some key players but young players Lts Gareth Libby (RE) and Rory Thompson (Royal Signals) hadf a stand out game. LCpl Macau Koroiyadi (RLC), a player with a huge 7s pedigree, crashed over for a match winning try in the 72 minute. Coach WO2 Andy Price (Welsh Guards) was full of praise for his team.“We came up with a plan to beat a very good side” said Andy. We knew they would never lay down for the full 80 minutes but were vulnerable in the set pieces. The plan worked because every player bought into the strategy and the complete team, analysts, coaches and players reaped the reward”.
One to remember
Roger Thompson
The REMEMBRANCE DAY match saw a Combined Services team haul in the Barbarians 27 - 24 at Plymouth almost as referee Dai Williams raised his whistle to signal the end of a fabulous game of rugby. Some of the very best was saved until last. Trailing 24-20 to a couple of classic Barbarian tries the Services were under heavy attack. But with only seconds remaining, Angelo Flammia (RAF) broke free from the 22 to run freely into space. He was closed down on the half way line but great vision found England 7s international Isoa Damudamu (RLC), arriving on the left for Flammia’s beautifully weighted pass. Damu evaded, shrugged and finally thundered into the corner for a spectacular try. The Plymouth crowd of 3000 was on its feet applauding until Dai Williams’ final whistle sealed the Services third win in ten encounters. The match had started to an almost equally exhilarating tempo. Man of the Match Josh Drauninui RN, who is making more than a few waves with Exeter Chiefs, scored a brace of tries. Services skipper Dave Pascoe RN converted one try and Rob Sweeney Welsh Guards slotted a penalty. Only a cruel bounce prevented Drauninui’s hat trick but Cpl Melvyn Lewis (Welsh Guards) compensated with a sprint to the corner. The Barbarians playing attractive rugby remained in striking distance with tries from Matt Moore (Esher) and Diego Zarzosa (Spain).That is until the third quarter when local Plymouth Albion hero Nic Sestaret scored a brace of tries, both converted by Tristan Davies (Cardiff) to bring the score to 20 - 24. The professionals started to turn the screw until, as referee Dai Williams thought about pulling down the curtains, Flammia and Damu stepped onto the stage but on this day ultimately it was rugby that triumphed.
