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Remembrance Day Match
Combined Services (22) v Barbarians (17)
Aldershot - 11 Nov 09 |
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Services repel Barbarian's attacking hordes
Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson
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The ‘Last Post’ and two minutes silence
at the start of the Remembrance Day Match gave way to
80 minutes of explosive rugby in the Aldershot drizzle
on Armistice Day.
It was a game of bombardment and counter bombardment
as fortunes swung and in the final quarter a somewhat
shell-shocked Barbarians were forced to regroup in an
attempt to claw back a 22pts-7 deficit. There can seldom
have been a longer period of ‘game-on’ and
even in the dying seconds the result could have gone
either way. |
Two minutes silence before the match on Armistice Day |
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This was certainly no contest for the faint hearted.
Spontaneous waves of early Barbarian attacks were matched
by the fiercest tackling and face-to-face battles in
the contact zone. Unusually, both sides were inclined
to kick their penalties.
The Baa-Baas opening try by No7 Rhys Shellard
(Cardiff) inside two minutes was a simple affair beautifully
executed. Thereafter the defences held the upper hand
in a war of attrition where the ever present Services
skipper Mark Lee (ALS) skilfully marshalled
his cohorts to fill any gaps. The visitors appeared
to become somewhat frustrated.
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Apo Satala draws the defence |
Before half time the Services turned defence into
a passage of territorial advantage. The front row of
Chris Budgen (R Welsh). Matt
Dwyer and Melvyn Lewis (both
Welsh Guards) created good old fashioned forward pressure
that produced a moment of magic from the Army’s
Fiji international No10 Jack Prasad (1
SCOTS). An almost unnoticed ‘shimmy’ through
the first line of defence released fellow international
Apo Satala (1 SCOTS) to run under the
posts. |
| Prasad, who deploys to Afghanistan
in the New Year, scored the second try himself and later
gave Greg Barden the stage to do what
the Royal Marine and England 7s international does best—thunder
through despairing hands to the line. Barden’s
defence and penetrating runs were a feature of the match.
and he was.
Baa-Baas they may be but even at 22pts-7 these were
no lambs to be led to the slaughter. New Zealander Craig
Hammond demanded and got a big forward effort
as they drove Henry Head over the line
under the posts. A third try followed to provide a nail
biting climax in front of the Services’ trenches--
but the military held out for a rare victory.
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Mal Roberts - his kicking made the difference |
Tom Chennell disposes the Barbarians |
| Mal Roberts, who holds twenty six Army caps,
has played in over half the Remembrance Day matches and is
himself a Barbarian. Mal kicked two conversions
and a penalty in what he intends to be his last game in Services’
colours. It was his 17th minute penalty that made the difference.
Army coach WO2 Andy Price (Welsh Guards)
told the ARU web
“That was a very satisfying win
against a professional side with great skills who wanted
to win. I take my hat off to the Royal Marine and Royal
Air Force players who integrated into an Army framework
and made a real difference. To think that five of our
squad were in the sands of Helmand Province just four
weeks ago and have given up leave to play is a great
mark of respect both for our own shirt and that of the
Baa-Baas. Also Apo Satala, selected to play for Fiji
on Saturday, insisted on playing. It was one of rugby’s
finest occasions.”
Among a number of close runners-up, the Man of the
Match was Royal Marine Greg Barden.
Unsung Hero was Army lock Chris Scarfe (Welsh
Guards) who grafted in the thick of the heaviest action.
I have been advised by Sir Alec Ferguson that the Villain
of the Peace cannot be mentioned but with a penalty
count of 17-5 against a winning side conclusions may
be drawn.
Posted: 16 Nov 09 |
Remembrance Day Match
The Barbarians are coming ! - to Aldershot
11 Nov 09
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The 2009 Remembrance Day Match will be played at the Army Rugby Stadium
Aldershot on Wednesday 11th November. Kick Off 1915
hrs. This will be the thirteenth occasion the illustrious
Barbarians have visited the Services to boost Armed
Forces Charities and particularly the Royal British
Legion. The Baa-Baas have always fielded a tasty mixture
of top class home and overseas players who guarantee
to thrill --but have not always managed to overcome
the Combined Services who frequently rise to the occasion.
Tickets will be available via the ARU Ticket Hotline
in October.
Posted: 2 Sep 09
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