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Thursday 1 April, 2010
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Corps Match Reports
Season 2009-2010
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Corps Competition Final
Royal Engineers (35) v Royal Logistics Corps (25)
Aldershot - 31 Mar 10 |
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Sappers bridge the Forth
Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson
The 2010 Corps Championship Final at Aldershot was
a titanic contest between two teams determined to play
rugby. Both teams showed skill and enterprise enabling
non-capped players to play a major part in the outcome
of a fine match. At stages both teams held a commanding
lead and lost it and, above all, as befits the Army's
senior rugby competition, a fine Spirit pervaded
throughout. |
Before a throbbing Army Stadium the question was
when would the three times champions, the Sappers, release
their Army backs. Within five minutes they had devoured
enough ball to make an England XV think they had arrived
in Heaven. However when the Sapper attempted to light
the fuse, they went into a song and dance routine, spilled
the ball and the RLC scored two tries. That's rugby.
Army wing Malakai Magnus zoomed down
his wing for the first whilst Taukei
welcomed a Chris Clifford dolly pass
to stride 50m to the Sapper line. An RLC 12 pt-nil lead
was a 'low odds' score after fifteen minutes but made
for a cracking atmosphere. |
Baks Bakoso - pure whizz |
The tempo rocketed further as fortunes swung from Sapper attack against last trench RLC survival-and vice Versa. Sapper fly half Ken Davey made and took his chances. If there had been a decent prop on route he would have been marmelized but the cheekiest 'Show and Go' ensured the defence never laid a finger on him as he went under the posts. |
 Naca takes some holding |
Of course 'lightning never strikes twice' but five minutes later Davey repeated his audacious move. Flanker Darrell Ball, returning to full fitness added a third for the Sappers to take a 17pts-15 lead into half time.
Neither side had dominated the first half but both Corps had the stars to finish the job in the second period. Three minutes in the Sappers established a 7pt lead. Peceli Nacamavuto had been a constant thorn in the RLC defence, Gus Qasevakatini and 'Baks' Bakoso were two of the fastest men in Army rugby but it was Gerhard Wessels who crossed far out with all the time in the World.
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Maybe the Sappers had drawn the headlines with four tries but the RLC were far from overawed. Their driving pack with Joe Kava and Williamson in the vanguard gained ground. Quick recycling by the ever bouncy Gareth Parry once more released Magnus who danced through. |
 Gerhard Wessels - a well deserved try |
Add a couple of penalties for drama. Twenty five minutes to the final whistle and 25 pts all-anyone's game
Predictably it was the Sappers' pack turning the screw that steadied the ship. With five Army caps up-front the Engineers regrouped skilfully to score two more tries through Bakoso and Noxy Lequera.
The restored 10 pt lead proved decisive as the Red and Blue forwards further squeezed the life blood out of a very game and well organized RLC pack
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The Sappers certainly had deployed the big guns including nine Army caps to win a fourth successive Corps title. That they were held until the last throw of the dice by the RLC shows what a good side the 'Loggies' had built in recent years under the tutelage of former Army back row forward Major Chris Christopher.
Moment of Magic Sapper prop Chris Clifford (him of the early dolly pass) arrived first to a crumbling maul, drove and secured the possession which led to the Darrell Ball try. At that very point the tide started to turn.
 The Adjutant General presents the Corps Trophy to Sapper skipper Ben Hughes
Posted: 1 Apr 10
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REME (19) v Infantry (16)
Arborfield - 9 Dec 09
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Reporter: Maj Pat Burns, DOR REME
The fixture kicked off on time under the watchful eye
of Referee, Sgt Gervin Taylor. Conditions
were calm but overcast and the REME's Corps pitch was
damp but firm underfoot.
The first 10 minutes saw the Infantry pack dominating
play and much of the game up to that point was played
in the REME's half. The Infantry continually sniped
in the REME's red zone but a well organised defence
kept them at bay. REME's first visit to the opposition's
half produced a penalty to the them for offside at the
ruck that was successfully kicked from just outside
the 22 by REME fullback, Cpl Cerri Cummins.
A second penalty in a similar position was awarded to
REME for the same offence 2 minutes later, which left
REME 6 - 0 up.
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Flying high - LCpl Daz O'Hare competes |
The game was fiercely contested by both teams who
played expansive rugby, showing good handling skills
and fearless tackling. It was soon REME's turn to feel
the Referee's wrath when he awarded a penalty against
them for encroaching at the ruck. This gave the Infantry
a chance to get on the scoreboard using the boot, 6
- 3. The game was evenly matched with some exciting
passages of play from both sides. Early in the second
half saw an outstanding break in open play by the REME
open side flanker, Cfn Matt Bowman.
He released inside centre, Sgt Tiko
to run in a spectacular try in the Infantry corner,
which was expertly converted by Cpl Cerri Cummins,
13 - 3. |
Sgt Tiko's glory was short lived when
the Infantry attacked minutes later and he gave away
a penalty and received a yellow card for drawing his
handbag whilst on the floor in front of his own post.
The Infantry took advantage of this aberration and easily
kicked the 3 points on offer, 13-6. Down to 14 men the
REME kept their discipline and managed to pressurise
the Infantry with more relentless tackling around the
contact area and out wide. The defensive pressure turned
to points when the Infantry conceded yet another penalty
for offside. The sizeable crowd were amazed when Cpl
Cerri Cummins nailed it from the halfway
line, straight between the posts, 16-6.
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| The last quarter saw a dramatic resurgence from
the Infantry after a REME attacking pass was intercepted
on the Infantry's 22 resulting in a try under the REME
posts. Unbelievably, the conversion was missed due to
a hastily taken kick going wayward, 16 -11. Uplifted,
the Infantry continued to mount attacks on the tiring
REME side and they inevitably scored a second well worked
try, with about 2 minutes to go, in REME's corner. Unfortunately
for the Infantry the try was unconverted, which left
the score at 16-16 with about 60 seconds left on the
clock.
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 SSgt Steve Drawbridge secures REME ball |
REME did not panic in front of their home supporters and
gained a scrum from the restart on the Infantry's 22.
The scrum went to REME and was followed by one or two
phases that allowed scrumhalf, LCpl Tom Channel
to feed Cpl Cerri Cummins who was standing
deep. The ensuing drop kick silenced the crowd as it
floated towards the Infantry posts and the celebrations
started immediately as it limped over the cross bar.
Gervin Taylor immediately blew his
whistle to end the game at 19-16.
 Sgt Ben Taylor turns over Infantry ball
Well done to the Infantry who never gave up and came
close to snatching a draw. Hats off to a young REME
team that never stopped believing in themselves and
kept their cool right up to the final whistle of an
exciting and well officiated game. REME looks forward
to playing the Sappers at Arborfield on 20 Jan 10.
Posted: 17 Dec 09
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RA (3) v AGC (22)
Aldershot - 18 Nov 09 |
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Reporter: Capt Harris The RA played the AGC in the 3rd fixture
in the Inter-Corps League 2009/10; the teams had the privilege
of playing in the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot for
the Kick Off at 1730hrs.
The RA won the toss and due to the strong wind chose
to play with the wind behind them in the first half.
Gnr Harthill-Harrison 12 Regt RA was
preyed upon by an aggressive AGC side as she received
the kick and the first few minutes of the game became
very forwards orientated with some fantastic play from
both sides.
The first 3 points were put on the board by Gnr Frayne
39 Regt RA when the RA pack forced an error and were
given a penalty, this was a very positive start for
the Gunner team but it wasn’t long before the
AGC used their greater experience and skill in the backs
to punish us!
The AGC played a fantastic game, well controlled by
Capt Douglas the ball was fed out to
the slick backs at exactly the right moment every time
and despite some much improved defending by the Gunner
side the score ramped up.
The Gunner team never gave up and continued to build
on their game which is continuing to improve as the
season progresses, the ruthless defence of the AGC forwards
kept the experienced Gunner back row at bay but also
provided a fantastic learning opportunity for the less
experienced second row.
In terms of possession the game was about 50:50 however
the AGC proved to be more creative with the ball when
it was in their possession and this was reflected in
the final score; RA 3: AGC 22.
The RA team would like to thank the AGC for a very
enjoyable game and we look forward to playing you again
in the future.
Posted: 9 Dec 09
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RE RFC (29) v Cambridge University Development (8)
21 Oct 09
Reporter: Tim Poole
Photographer: Garry Cootes
The match against a spirited Cambridge University development side
proved very useful indeed for the Corps. We made 10
positional changes from the game against the R Signals,
which allowed the coaching team to see new and returning
players. The first half was tight, with both sides feeling there way into the
game. We dominated the set pieces, in particular the
lineout where we pinched a lot of opposition ball throughout
the game, the scrum was powerful from start to finish.
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The defence of the Cambridge Team, was colossal they
tackled and tackled and proved very well drilled - a
tough nut to crack. They only gave away 3 kickable penalties
in the first half, of which we converted 1. We gifted
an unconverted try just before half time, to leave the
score 3 – 5 in favour of Cambridge.
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We started the second half in much the same way, being powerful, strong and physical, which proved decisive. Strong clinical running by the backs ensured the Cambridge team tired through constant tackling. They started to give away penalties and we took maximum advantage of scoring freely from the set piece. The match was a physical enjoyable encounter for both sides and enjoyed by a number of spectators who turned out to watch and support.
The final score 29 – 8 to RERFC
The match highlights and further match reports can be viewed on www.sapperrugby.com.
Hopefully we have now established the link to make this an annual event, by playing Cambridge 1st team and development sides next year.
The club is steeped in history with many a fine rugby player moving onto the international scene to represent their country and the British and Irish Lions.
We now look forward the Spr v Gnr game on Wed 18 Nov 09, kick off 1400 hrs.
Posted: 24 Oct 09
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