Academy Match Reports
Season 2009-2010

Army U20 (25) v Norh Wales U20 (21)
Aqt Aldershot Sun 24 Jan 10

Due to the late withdrawal of Berkshire, it was with some trepidation that the Army U20s were able to secure a last minute fixture against North Wales U20s. As the final warm up prior to the County Championships, the Army was keen to field its strongest team in order to rehearse as a unit.

Following some balanced opening exchanges with both sides eager to keep the ball alive, the Army showed great promise working through numerous phases of play and penetrating deep into the Welsh half. However, after the first 5 minutes it was North Wales who started to gain territorial advantage, utilising their bigger pack to good effect. Conceding a kickable penalty after 8 minutes, the Army were lucky not to be trailing so early on, but just 2 minutes later, trying to keep the ball alive and away from the big Welsh forwards, the Welsh intercepted a loose pass in the centre and romped in from 25 meters to score under the posts which they converted. Forcing play back into the Welsh half, the Army wheeled a scrum and LCpl Tommy Jones opened the Army scoring from 25 meters out. From this point on, despite a well matched and contested battle for possession, the Welsh dominated the territorial battle, helped by a frustrated Army pack conceding a high penalty count. Scoring 2 penalty kicks, the Welsh went in at half time leading by 13 points to 3.

From the re-start the Army showed it meant business, bringing on some fresh legs in various positions. A messy scrum in the first minute, resulted in the ball coming loose and the Army Captain Cfn Matt Bowman picking up the ball 30 meters out and beating 4 defenders to score the first Army try. Tom Jones hit the upright with the conversion attempt, so the score was 8-13 in favour of the Welsh. Conceding another penalty within kicking distance the Welsh showed their intent by converting the penalty and stretching their lead. The game then developed a cup-tie feel to it. The fitness of the Army side meant that the territorial pendulum started to swing in favour of the Army. Hooker LCpl Kyle Routley picked a ball from the loose and made a great break deep into the Welsh 22, linked up with the three quarters for Centre LCpl Dan Sainsbury to score under the posts, which Tommy Jones converted. 15-16. 5 minutes later Dan Sainsbury, in a copy cat of the earlier Welsh try, intercepted in the centre to score his second try, which was again converted; pushing the Army into the lead for the first time 22-16. From the re-start the Welsh rallied and showing their deftness of hand put their centre across the line with some lovely linking-play. Unable to convert, the score stayed just in favour of the Army 22-21. With both teams showing great passion and determination, the game teetered on the brink, however a penalty out wide and 30 meters from the line gave an in-form Tommy Jones a chance to extend the lead. He kicked well and he Army led by 25-21. Into the last 5 minutes and it was the Army's turn to concede a kickable penalty. Knowing that a try was needed to win, the Welsh took the option of kicking for a line out instead of the posts. The kick went out of play and the last scoring opportunity went by. Minutes later the whistle went and the Army had won a well contested match 25 points to 21.

Whilst acknowledging this was an under-strength North Wales team, along with the considerable distance travelled; the scalp of North Wales in any form is one to be proud of. The Army lads put their bodies on the line, worked as a cohesive team and showed great fortitude and determination. Bring on the Counties!!

Posted: 25 Jan 10

Army U20s (5) v Oxford Harlequins U20s (14)
Oxford - 6 Dec 09

Having rained heavily throughout the night, the weather cleared for the game , although there was a bitterly cold wind across the pitch.

This was the inaugural fixture against Oxford Harlequins and had the excessive and bizarre penalty count against the Army in the first half not been so high, these well matched teams could have had a more fluid and balanced match.

From the kick off, both sides set about probing each other's defences, both from forward drives and also from the three-quarters. The first ten minutes were well balanced, although the Army were lucky not to concede to an early penalty attempt from Oxford. However, a second penalty goal was successful, giving Oxford a 3-0 lead. Some determined forward play and superior scrumaging by Oxford, along with an unbelievably high amount of penalties awarded against the Army, kept play in the Army half for most of the first half. In an attempt to keep the ball alive, the Army backs attempted to run the ball out of defence on several occasions, only to be whistled back by the referee. Following on from a quick penalty, Oxfords pack took the ball forward in a driving maul to score 25 minutes into the game. Unconverted, Oxford continued to drive hard at the Army defence which was well organised and resolute. A further penalty kick on the stroke of half time left the score Oxford 11 - Army 0.

The second half was a far more balanced affair in all respects. The Army came out of the blocks with a point to prove and played in a very positive and open manner, displaying good communication and with the forwards and backs linking well. 10 Minutes in and Full Back Sam Kille cut through the Oxford defence, joining the line from fullback to open the Army's scoring. Skipper; Tom Jones was hit the post with the conversion attempt. After 15 minutes of the Army in the driving seat, Oxford raised their game again, resulting in play being more balanced. The Army responded and playing a high intensity game threatened the Oxford defences. However, 30 minutes into the second half Oxford scored a goal from one of their penalties which sealed the game with a win for Oxford 14-5.

Not withstanding the extraordinary penalties amassed against the Army, there were many positives: With several first choice players unavailable and chest infections hampering others, the Army pack played well and the defence across the piece was solid. The spirit shown to keep coming back in the face of adversity was similarly impressive. Due to deployments, the Army will miss Sam Kille, Daniele Mason and Ryan Staff but look forward to their return to the Academy next year.

Posted: 7 Dec 09

Army U20s (0) v Esher (46)
Aldershot - 15 Nov 09

A break in the rainy weather allowed good conditions for the first U20s match of the season against a young Esher development side. Playing a development side from a club playing at National 1 level is always going to come at a risk and so it proved in this match. A big and well drilled Esher side set about asserting their dominance from the outset and after 5 minutes the Army gave away a penalty 23 metres out in front of the posts. Esher missed their kick and that was the last bit of benevolence that was given. The Army U20s took some naïve decisions and looked generally nervous. It was therefore no surprise that after a period of sustained pressure Esher pushed the ball wide to their left winger who took the ball in from 30 metres to score their first try after 9 minutes. This was converted from wide out. Securing the ball from the restart Esher moved the ball well with a series of short supporting passes to score immediately and again this was converted. Esher, superior in all departments, then camped in the Army half and with another try from their left winger and 2 tries on the right hand side, the whistle went for half time with the scoreboard showing the Army 0 - Esher 31.

Both sides made numerous changes at half time and the opening 5 minutes looked more balanced however when the Army over-committed to a ruck, Esher seized the opportunity putting numbers out wide to score in the left hand corner. A similar move in the 20th minute of the second half resulted in Esher's 7th try with an eighth try 3 minutes later from a forwards pushover. With 10 minutes left and the Army U20s trailing by 46 points to nil, it was with great spirit and a display of superior fitness that the Army turned the tables and camped deep within the Esher half. Although coming close to a try with a drive led by Jake Brown, the final whistle went without further points on the board.

Despite the scoreboard there were many positives; Gareth Anthony captained the side with passion and for a group of teenagers playing together for the first time against a well drilled, bigger and cohesive team, the attitude was resilient and good. But for some crunching tackles on the part of the boys in red, the score would have been even greater. Tim Warbrick moved from back row to prop due to a severe shortage in that area and was rock solid in that new position. In the backs, Tommy Jones stood out with some stunning footwork to make the occasional break from defence and Sam Kille produced some excellent cover tackles. Not the start that was hoped for but with the injection of some of our more experienced players to come later in the season, the U20s are definitely not to be bet against just yet.

Posted: 18 Nov 09