Army Masters XV Match Reports
Season 2009-2010

The Navy are back to kicking the ball away, again returned with good running rugby. A lineout in their 22 is quickly followed by a scrum; blood injury to Gary Windle and he is replaced by Mark Eastley, as Mark Kane goes under the posts, converted by Mark Reed, after 55 minutes, 18-8. When the blood injury comes back on Eastley replaces Shaun Collins – after another fine effort. On the hour mark and the Navy have converted two further penalties to make the score, 18-14; ultimately a trigger for the Masters – time to go! What followed was a solo effort from the Army 10 – Calvin Venn, as he twisted and turned I’m sure he went through or round more than 15 Navy players; converted by Reed, 25-14.

Wooden spoon averted and a hard fought Inter Services ends for another year, the last for a couple players and some of the backroom staff (list available upon request), plus a few new ‘caps’. With presentations galore, including player of the season to Griff Griffiths, the day was a success for the Masters and many thanks must go to our sponsors, Enterprise, for their continued support (Yes, I’m looking for a job). And lastly, the term ‘has been’ is sometimes mentioned, these guys have definitely been - but they most certainly haven’t gone away! (Final Note: - thanks for the memories).

Match Officials
Referee: David Patterson, Assistant Referees: Andy Halliwell, Fraser Todd, No4: Chris Goss

Read what the Ancient Mariners had to say about the match at www.navyrugbyunion.co.uk

Posted: 5 May 10

Inter-Services Championship 2010 Army Masters XV (6) v RAF Veterans (10) Newbury - 21 Apr 10

Wednesday evening in Newbury, a slight chill in the air - the shape of things to come! The RAF kicked off and with a series of penalties, both sides spend the next 15 minutes sizing each other up - at which stage Steve Dobie comes on to cover a blood injury (Paul Tink). A cover tackle from Mark Kane, supported by Dave Goddard, and the game comes to life; the RAF centre goes in under the posts, converted, 21 minutes played 0-7. A good tackle from Calvin Venn and lots of loose ball sees good work from the Army back row - with a great pick up from Neil Griffiths noted. A further series of penalties cannot add to the score as the half ends

Into the last 10 minutes, Mark Reed and Nabs Nabakeke are replaced by Alex Biggs and Errol Jones; followed by Dave Boocock being changed for Lala Lalauvaki. With play seemingly stuck in the middle of the park, a good final effort from the Army Masters takes the ball deep into the RAF 22 (again), fortune favours the brave and the final whistle is blown. The RAF set out their stall early on and stuck to their game, a deserved result for them; it was good to see Mike Campbell back – for one last game? Focus now turns to the Navy match and a final chance to ensure all the hard work done this season finishes with a roar!

Posted: 23 Apr 10

Army Masters XV (34) v Farnborough (29)
Farnborough - 12 Apr 10

On a cold, windy night Farnborough kick off and immediately show their strength as pace in the backs slice through to score under the posts, one minute played, 0-5. Each excursion into the Farnborough half is returned deep by the boot and the Army have to build and build again. The Masters forwards take the ball on and when combining well with the backs, Farnborough are penalised trying to kill the ball - the Army roll on. A good scrum follows and 'bang, bang' WO2 Paul Tink goes over, converted by SSgt Mark Reed, 10 minutes played, 7-5. The wily Farnborough pack and their kicking backs, relying on speed, keep the Masters to their task - Sgt Ged Arthur is replaced by Cpl Lala Lalauvaki and on 15 minutes a penalty takes the score to 7-8.

After 19 minutes another kick results in a melee under the posts and the Army winger is trampled as Farnborough touch down, converted, 7-15. The Masters look good going forward however the opposition tactics ensure they play in their own half, the next comment in my book 'holding but only just' is soon realised. The ball is sent across the backs and the Farnborough winger goes over in the corner, all done at speed and with 26 minutes on the clock, the score moves to 7-20. The Farnborough fly half appears to be having a controlling influence on the game; an Army penalty by Mark Reed on 29 minutes makes the score 10-20, the Masters game is picking up and playing good rugby move into the opposition 22 but good defence sees the ball cleared back to our 22!

Farnborough penalty, 39 minutes, 10-23; a length of the field return by Maj Mike Nawaqaliva, supported by Cpl Alfred Vakacoko-Vanua, sees the Army Masters finish the half deep into opposition territory - coach WO1 Mitch Mitchell then takes the time to remind the team of a few areas of their game that needed refining! The second half kicked off with the Army immediately on the attack with Cpl Nabs Nabakeke taking the ball on, from the resulting scrum Sgt Dave Goddard picks and goes, off loading to Maj Peter Francis to score, conversion missed, 15-23. A good re-start from the Masters, with solid defence turning into attack; a bit of ping pong but most play in the Farnborough half, on 52 minutes Paul Tink is replaced by LCpl Steve Dobie, supplementing further a good display from the Army front row.

1 Lt Col Simon Orr RAMC
2 WO2 Paul Tink RA
3 WO1 Shaun Collins RLC
4 SSgt Errol Jones RE
5 Cpl Alfred Vakacoko-Vanua RLC
6 Sgt Ged Arthur RLC
7 Maj Peter Francis AGC (ETS)
8 Sgt Dave Goddard RE - Skipper
9 Capt Dave Boocock APTC
10 SSgt Mark Reed RE
11 Maj Nawaqaliva RLC
12 Maj Alex Biggs RAng
13 SSgt Calvin Venn RLC
14 Cpl Nabakeke R Sigs
15 LCpl Tom Tom Turagabeci RLC
16 Cpl LaLa Lalauvaki RLC
17 SSgt Mark Kane APTC
18 Maj Mike Atkinson AGC
19 SSgt Mark Eastley RE
20 SSgt Andy Jackson AGC
21 Cpl Pete Inoke RLC
22 LCpl Steve Dobie RLC

With 59 minutes gone SSgt Mark Kane is on for SSgt Calvin Venn and a drop goal takes the score to 15-26. From the kick off good forward play turns the ball over and Dave Goddard saunters under the posts, converted by Maj Alex Biggs, 22-26. On 65 minutes a further penalty and a score of 22-29, then a team yellow card for Capt Dave Boocock -an individual mention for SSgt Errol Jones playing well, out of his usual position. To counter being a man down the Masters apply pressure and camp on the Farnborough line for the next 5 minutes, eventually the ball is fed out and Alfred Vakacoko-Vanua easily goes over; good play is rewarded further with a successful conversion from Alex Biggs to tie the scores after 73 minutes, 29-29. A yellow card for Farnborough adds to the mix and a possible grand finale!

Against a tiring opposition the Army push on, LCpl Tom Tom Turagabeci is replaced by Cpl Pete Inoke; in the last couple of minutes Farnborough try to break out but good defence, followed by a good lineout ensures the match will finish in their half. Solid forward play, good hands in the backs, desperate defence from Farnborough and a charge down climaxes in Mike Nawaqaliva finishing out wide and the game, final score 34-29 (to at least one cheer!). Many thanks must go to Farnborough Rugby Club for their excellent performance, hospitality and continued support to the Army Masters XV.

Posted: 14 Apr 10

Army Masters XV (23) v Kew Occasional's (5)
Richmond - 20 Mar 10

An overcast Saturday afternoon and Kew Occasional's, who were complimented by the inclusion of Army Master front row Maj Mike Atkinson AGC, kicked off. A quiet enough start with some solid forward play testing the opposition, just need to play in their half! All middle of the park stuff for 13 minutes, good defence and turn over sees a steady build up as the Army advance, penalty missed (19 minutes), 22 charged down, now firmly in their half. A good interchange across the park is just halted with the ball ultimately held up over the line, from the 5m scrum WO2 Jim Evans crosses and after 23 minutes play we have the first score, Conv missed, 5-0.

Secure ball from the restart is maximised by a length of the field kick by SSgt Mark Reed, pressure is maintained as the ball is taken on by WO2 Neil Griffiths and good tackling by SSgt Paul Tink. The Occasional’s are rotating their replacements and after 54 minutes Paul Tink is replaced by LCpl Steve Dobie due to injury. There follows a management technique by the official as three yellow cards (2 for the Masters and one for Kew) that ensures confusion reigns at the breakdown area. A penalty by Marc Wilding takes the score to 18-5 and with cup rugby winning us the game Kew are well and truly pinned in their own 22m.

With their tails up the Army Masters take the ball across the park one way and then the other, a grand finale beckons as the scrum dominates. Kew are penalised and from the lineout a 5m scrum is awarded where the Masters pressure is rewarded with a try from the skipper Dave Goddard, conversion missed, 23-5. Good work from SSgt Errol Jones clears the line as Kew try to finish on a high. A solid performance from the Army is just revenge for last seasons only defeat by the Occasional's, many thanks to Richmond for hosting the match again. Onwards and upwards only one fixture left before the Inter Services which the current squad have justified selection.

Posted: 22 Mar 10

Army Masters XV (30) v Richmond Heavies (30)
Aldershot - 26 Feb 10

A cold, windy night on Queens Avenue; Richmond kicked off and kept the Masters in their half until a successful penalty attempt put the score at 0-3 after 7 minutes. A good break out from defence by Richmond is halted by a cover tackle from Sgt Dave Goddard, further big tackles doesn't hide the scrappy, scrambling defence from the Army. A penalty takes the Masters back into the Heavies half and from the resulting lineout the backs pull a move that allows LCpl Pete Inoke to go over, with the conversion missed, the score moves to 5-3 after 14 minutes played.

Good pressure from the Army and another penalty, this time converted by Maj Alex Biggs, sees the score at 8-3 after 18 minutes. With the game seemingly settling down into the middle of the park, very good hands by the Masters backs, in particular Cpl Nabs Nabakeke and LCpl Tom Tom Turagabeci, allows SSgt Mark Reed to go over in the corner, conversion missed, 23 minutes played; 13-3. More solid defence is required by the Army as the Richmond Heavies press, a succession of penalties follow - with the score moving to 13-6 (31 minutes) and then 13-9 (37 minutes).

With obvious frustration a further penalty results in a yellow card for WO2 Neil Griffiths and a try under the posts for Richmond, converted, half time score of 13-16. The following replacements took place; WO2 Paul Radford for Cpl Alfred Vakacoko-Vanua, Alex Biggs for WO2 Andy Kershaw, Pete Inoke for SSgt Mark Kane, SSgt Errol Jones for Maj Mike Nawaqaliva, Nabs Nabakeke for WO1 Muz Murray, WO1 Shaun Collins for Maj Mike Atkinson and Dave Goddard for Capt Jamie McMeechan – a number of positional changes complete the coach’s blast.

From a good break out (22 to 22) by Tom Tom Turagabeci and Mike Nawaqaliva, a penalty from Mark Reed ties the score at 16-16 after 48 minutes - Maj Peter Francis on for Neil Griffiths. A yellow card on 49 minutes for Lt Col Simon Orr is shortly followed by a 5m scrum, after a tackle by Mike Nawaqaliva when the Richmond winger had crossed the line, resulting in Peter Francis swapped for Shaun Collins. The Heavies driving maul from a lineout leads to another try which is converted and so after 53 minutes play the score is 16-23.

With Richmond ahead everything is kicked to ensure the Army have to build from their own half, which they do, until they are camped in the Heavies 22 and with a yellow card for the Richmond back rower surely it's just a matter of time. Simon Orr and Peter Francis come back on with LCpl Steve Dobie going off. After 68 minutes Shaun Collins is bundled over and Mark Reed converts to take the score to 23-23. A great break, involving Peter Francis and Mike Nawaqaliva, sees Alfred Vakacoko-Vanua power through to go under the posts, conversion by Mark Reed, 71 minutes; 30-23.

After another driving maul from a lineout, the Heavies score a converted try to tie the scores after 75 minutes play; 30-30. Dave Goddard comes back on for WO1 Marc Wilding, as the Richmond exchanges become more frequent; I used the word 'guile' in my notes to describe the Heavies play! A big last effort from the Army sees Alfred Vakacoko-Vanua go over in the corner however the final pass was deemed forward by the officials and the game ends - a fair result (depending on who you talked to!!). Many thanks go to Phil Ware and his assistants, Dave Squires and Frazer Todd (An all RAF team of 3).

Posted: 1 Mar 10

Army Masters XV (7) v Richmond Heavies (15)
Richmond - 28 Nov 09

A good turnover is negated by yet more penalties, enabling Richmond to release any build up of pressure – Mark Reed is replaced by SSgt Mark Kane (37 minutes). From a good scrum the Heavies number eight shows his frustration and is yellow carded, penalty missed – half time! A couple more changes are made with LCpl Idris Davies replacing LCpl Tabs Tabalakia and SSgt John Pines on for SSgt Paul Tink – with WO1 Shaun Collins, skipper for the day, moving to hooker.

A positive start to the half by the Army; after a good tackle from Maj Peter Francis, a break from CSgt Trevor Harland brings the Masters into Richmond’s 22; however this leaves LCpl Pete McDonald being carried off and replaced by LCpl Dan Ratu (47 minutes). With more play in the Heavies half, an interchange with Mark Kane, WO2 Dean Ross and WO2 Andy Kershaw gains good ground; it’s coming slowly; Jason Gunning is replaced by Andy Wilkinson after 55 minutes play.

More replacements with Mike Atkinson for Cam Cameron and Paul Tink for Shaun Collins; from the restart the Army show their mettle and take the game to Richmond. A penalty (yes, to us!) is taken quickly by Lala Lalauvaki and with fast hands the winger Andy Kershaw scores, converted by Idris Davies, 73 minutes played, 7-15. The Heavies use their guile to see out the rest of the game and gleefully accept their first win over the Masters; they now look forward to the return match in February.

Posted: 2 Dec 09

Army Masters XV's (37) v Farnborough (43)
Aldershot - 03 Nov 09

A cold, wet night in Aldershot saw the Army XXXV's take on a young, but not inexperienced Farnborough side. The majority of the Army bench were wrapped up as the back bone of a CS side with a fixture at the weekend, however from the Farnborough kick off Cpl Charlie Wainiqolo is helped off - replaced by Maj Cam Cameron - and an ensuing penalty starts the scoring at 0-3. At the back of the line Capt Jamie McMeechan takes the ball into contact and from a messy ruck LCpl Idris Davies kicks through, a fumble from the Farnborough full back allows Davies - who followed his kick - to drop on the ball over the line, missed conversion, 5-3.

Mistakes aplenty with the wet ball allow a busy Farnborough side to spend time in the Army half but good individual breaks bring the play back to the middle of the park. Solid work - a 10/7 move, 9 & 10 line clearing kicks and a cover tackle from the skipper for the day Lt Col Mike Campbell - just delays the next score as the Farnborough backs pull a move and go under the posts, 28 minutes played, 5-10. A XXXV's penalty just inside their 22 allows LCpl Pete McDonald to bring the score to 8-10; then a turn over in the backs by Farnborough, and when a trip on the cover tackler goes unpunished, the winger went in at the corner to put the score at 8-15.

From the re-start Farnborough break through to score under the posts, 8-22, the wrong decision at an Army penalty leads to another turn over and a hat trick for the Fijian winger (or centre - who knew!), leaving the score, 40 minutes played, at 8-29. Disjointed, missed tackles and running away from support would be a bit of a cynical view taken for this first trial match of the season, hey ho, half time changes include Cpl Phil Turagabeci for Lt Col Dave Eastman and WO2 Boz Boswell for Pete McDonald. The second half kicks off with a fourth try for the Farnborough wing / centre, 8-36; the needed response is only a drop goal from Maj Alex Biggs, 11-36.

On 48 minutes the changes are Sgt Dave Goddard, Cpl LaLa Lalauvaki, WO2 Neil Griffiths and SSgt Mark Reed on and WO2 Jim Evans, Idris Davies, Maj Peter Francis, WO2 Dean Ross and SSgt Tiny Baker off - school boy error! Pressure is immediately brought to bear on the Farnborough try line, 5m scrums and penalties galore, resulting in a yellow card - thus equalling the sides! Dave Eastman comes back on for LCpl Chris Tugaga, another penalty - this time Dave Goddard goes over, converted, 18-36. WO1 Dave Boocock enters the fray and on the hour mark WO1 Muzz Murray crosses, Alex Biggs converts and the score moves to 25-36.

With things coming together it's all XXXV's and an all hands move ends with Muzz Murray going over in the corner, 65 minutes played, 30-36. Farnborough make full use of rolling subs with their large squad and a yellow card for the XXXV's seems to give them a momentum that finishes with a steal against the head, a kick into the corner and an isolated winger to fall over the line, converted, 30-43. Some big runs from Phil Turagabeci keep the opposition in their half but penalties and injuries slow the play down as the clock ticks on. Good work all round (support play) in particular LaLa Lalauvaki and Dave Goddard, sees the Army camped inside their 22m!

Another penalty, a line out and SSgt Tinksy Tink ends good play by squeezing under the posts, converted by Biggs to leave a final score of 37-43. A few new faces and a few old reliables' with all giving the coaching staff plenty to think about before the next match. Quote from Mr Gary Allcock (Farnborough Coach): "I enjoyed a really good game of rugby; our first half dominance won the game", and thanks to Colin Moore for stepping into the middle!

Posted: 5 Nov 09