Corps (Women) Championship Match Reports
Season 2009-2010

RLC (W) (84) v AMS (W) (0)
Aldershot - 18 Nov 09

Reporter: WO2 Price

The 3rd fixture in the Merit League saw the RLC meeting the AMS at the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot for the Kick Off at 1930hrs.

The RLC won the toss and at exactly 1930hrs Cpl Sarah Mitchelson kicked off the game. Both sides started strongly with quick hands and short passes due to the windy weather. The AMS pack defended aggressively putting in good solid tackles and for the first 5 minutes of the game it was at a gridlock in the centre of the pitch.

The RLC broke down the AMS defence by W02 (Fish) Barkess playing at Scrum Half to play fast ball to Cpl Mitchelson, and with an overlap it was try time for LCpl Charlie Lloyd.

The AMS came back from the try with heads held high and continued to try to break down the RLC defence. Unfortunately the RLC pack were just to strong for the inexperience front row for the AMS and the game went to uncontested scrums.

The AMS continued to put up a strong fight but due to key players being unavailable they had to field a squad with quiet a few complete novices. The RLC took advantage of this and with some solid running from the RLC forwards Sgt Mel Cox, Cpl Charlie Ratcliffe, and LCpl Stumpy Hulme enabled the RLC backs to run in the tries.

At the half- time whistle the score was RLC 60 - 0 AMS.

At start of the second half the RLC made their changes and put novices Pte Nikky Sweeting and Pte Yolandi Jensen on to the pitch. Unfortunately for the AMS due to the RLC having some very experienced and talented players they were just to strong with tries coming thick and fast from Capt Rowena Squires, Cpl Bani, Cpl Michelson, LCpl Joubert, LCpl Lloyd and LCpl Ema Lomalagi. Lt Fi Cox Converted twice to end the match at RLC 84 - 0 AMS.

The RLC would like to thank the AMS for their sportsmanship and realise that the final score would not have been so great on the availability of the AMS key players. All the novice players were a credit to the Corp and at numerous times throughout the game tested some very experienced RLC players.

Tries: 16 Conv: 2

Posted: 23 Nov 09

R Signals (W) (15) v RA (W) (15) Aldershot - 7 Oct 09

The first 15s match of the season saw the Royal Signals take on the RA at Aldershot on 7 Oct 09. Despite the atrocious wind and rain throughout the game neither team were put off and both sides fielded full teams armed with a will to win.

The R Signals team was a mixture of experience and total novices; with 6 Phase 2 soldiers and 3 affiliated RE players who had never played a match before.

The Gunners started strongly, scoring within the first few minutes. This was the wake up call the R Signals needed and before half time, as well as a penalty, we scored our first try with Sapper Bulou Naitoko showing excellent pace across the try line.

At half-time we were just ahead but the RA came back out fighting hard and applying constant pressure. This paid off for them and they soon regained the lead. The R Signals fought back and front row Sig Becky Graham was a workhorse, continually punching through the Gunners defence to gain extra ground.

Before the final whistle all the novice players were substituted onto the pitch to give them a chance to gain match experience. With five minutes to go before the end the R Signals managed a well deserved try in the corner scored by Cpl Claire Loftus. Unfortunately we missed the conversion and the game ended in a draw.

It was a well played match with both teams displaying great sportsmanship and with some good rugby being played.

R Signals (Women's) Team

Posted: 16 Oct 09