Army XXXV at the World Masters – Gold Medal Winners
Sydney, Australia - 10-18 October 2009

Final - Army XXXV's vs Marauders Vets (Win 7-5)
17 Oct 09

With the hot favourites, the White Hart Marauders winning the other semi-final, the stage was set for an all-British final at the World Masters Rugby tournament. The Marauders are a semi-professional touring side replete with former International and Premiership players, so the task facing the British Army XXXVs was always going to be difficult, but the local Aussie crowd lifted the side for what proved to be a bruising encounter. The teams were evenly matched throughout the first half, although the smaller but more agile Army pack proved to be a significant handful for the opposition, and once again, the Army team dominated the scrums with several balls against the head at key moments. Passions were running high and the referee was forced to assert his control by red-carding ex-Wallaby David Knox to the sheer delight of the local Aussie crowd. This seemed to galvanise the Marauders and the Army was unable to capitalise on the extra man in the first half, with the score remaining level by half time.

Stoic defence by the Army XXXVs keeps the Marauders at bay

Several unforced errors led to the Marauders camping in the Army's 22 for much of the second half, but sterling tackling and last ditch defence kept them away from the try line; crucially, the Marauders also missed a penalty near the posts. As the second half advanced, both teams attempted to break the stalemate but with little success until, with only 4 minutes and 30 seconds remaining on the clock, the Marauders broke through the Army's defence to score an unconverted try at the corner flag (Army 0 Marauders 5).

Army XXXVs vs Marauders in the final of the World Masters Games. Former Bristol Flanker Derek Eve at No8 sizing-up Army Flanker Sgt Dave Goddard (RE) and No8 Cpl Foxy Cokanasiga

With minutes remaining the Army threw everything into the attack until LCpl Tomasi "Tom Tom" Turagabeci (RLC) ghosted his way through the seemingly impenetrable Marauders defence to bring the scores level with 30 seconds of the game left to run. The conversion attempt, which would win the game for the Army, would require a 40m kick from left-field, facing into the late afternoon sun and in unpredictable wind conditions. With first choice Army kicker, Taff Reed, and Army Captain WO2 Kev Davies (RE), injured and substituted, WO1 Marc Wilding (REME), the Army 2nd Row seized the moment and lined up the all-important last kick of the game. Wilding bisected the posts turning early from his kick in the sure knowledge of mission success and a fairytale ending.

Posted: 30 Oct 09

Semi-Final - Army XXXV's vs Horny Goats (Win 12-3)
16 Oct 09

The Semi-Final took place against the Sydney Horny Goats, and although the game began comfortably with the Army team camped firmly in the Goats' half, this was a much closer match than previous games. The first half remained in a stalemate situation until the dying moments when winger, LCpl Pete MacDonald (REME), blitzed the left wing and popped the ball to Hooker, SSgt Alan Reffell (REME), who scored an unconverted try to open the Army's account.

The second half proved to be a much more exciting game to watch. The Army pack came into its own and began to dominate all aspects of the set play. Impact player Cpl Foxy Cokanasiga (RLC) once again made an appearance scything through the Goats' defence and leaving a trail of tacklers in his wake. Again, this was a hard fought match with the Army winning by the relatively close margin of 12-3. The final and a shot at the Gold medal beckoned.

Posted: 30 Oct 09

Quarter Finals - Army XXXV's vs Melbourne Moorabbin Rams (Win 15-10)
15 Oct 09

The Army met the Maori/Samoan-dominated Melbourne Moorabbin Rams at the Quarter-Final stage. As you would expect from a Kiwi side, the Rams were a very physical team, but after a tight start the Army dominated the first half, although were unable to convert pressure into points.

No8 WO1 Marc Wilding (REME) popping to Scrum Half WO1 Dave Boocock (APTC) during the Quarter Final against the Melbourne Moorabbin Rams

Team Captain WO1 Kev Davies (RE) preparing to receive clean ball within the Melbourne Rams' 22

The 2nd half began against the flow of play with the Rams breaking through some poor tackling to score an unconverted try. Despite this set-back the Army remained patient and rallied its defences in order to rebuild its game. Eventually the Army began to dominate play, and it was the pack that rescued the game through a breakaway but unconverted try from Cpl Foxy Cokanasiga (RLC) off the back of a scrum in the Rams' 22. The Army was able to increase its lead almost immediately, with another try from the kick-off from Team Captain, WO2 Kev Davies (RE), although the Rams did cross the Army's line again before the final whistle (Final score: Army 15 Rams 10). A win for the Army, but this was a hard fought and physical game which took its toll on the Army side incurring a number of injuries prior to the semi-final.

Posted: 30 Oct 09

Match 3 - British Army XXXV's v Hills Rugby (Win 24 - 14)
13 Oct 09

Though qualification had already been secured, a final group stage victory was essential to ensure the best possible draw and maintain momentum for the Army, who were already being tipped as one of the tournament favourites. However, the combination of injuries and the whole squad pushing for places resulted in another significantly changed line up against a determined Hills side looking for their first win.

Despite playing into the teeth of a very strong wind, the Army dominated early on with SSgt Tim Gibbs (RE) sniping around the scrum and both Sgt Mark Kane (APTC) and LCpl Pete MacDonald (REME) creating space further out. Indeed, although the Army were unable to secure the telling final passes necessary to score, a succession of incisive kick returns, line breaks and inter-play within the forwards belied the conditions. The Hills side were not, however, ready to roll over and, with the wind at their backs, constantly kicked to peg the Army back, making them work hard for every yard. In fact the kicking bug even infected the Army front row when WO1 'Monster' Howard (REME) chipped through. Eventually though the Army's superior class showed when WO1 Dave Boocock (APTC) broke from a quick free kick, off loaded to LCpl Dan Ratu (RLC) who skipped pass the defence and, with one man to beat, rewarded the tremendous support work of WO1 Kev Davies (RE) with a pass that put him clear to score a try, which went unconverted (5-0). This seemed to relax the Army side as Hills wilted. From the kick off Cpl Foxy Cokanasiga (RLC) collected the ball and rampaged straight through almost the entire defence before executing a perfect scissors with SSgt 'Tubbsy' Reffell (REME) (prop for the day) who came on to the ball at real pace, beating the opposition winger on the outside to score in the corner! The try was again unconverted (10-0). With the Army in the ascendancy Hills tried to slow the ball down at the ruck and free kick followed free kick as the Army worked their way up the field. Finally, at set play in front of the posts, followed by strong driving play around the breakdown, Maj 'Cam' Cameron (REME) crashed over from short range. WO1 Marc Wilding (REME) converted (17-0).

Cpl Foxy Cokanasiga (RLC) rampages through the Hills' Defences to set up a try for SSgt Tubbsy Reffell (REME)

Following the half time whistle Hills raised their heads and came back with renewed heart as the Army relaxed just a little too much and allowed their line to be breached for the first time in the tournament. Though the Army reacted immediately with another try (a beautiful kick through, which LCpl Dan Ratu collected and scorched through to the line - converted by Wilding (24-7)), Hills returned the favour with another score of their own (24-14). This certainly spurred the Army on but despite some flowing running and handling from Sgt Mark Kane, Maj Mike Nawaqaliva (RLC) and Cpl Filipe Turagabeci (RMP) the game closed without further points being added.

The Army finished the group stages with an unbeaten record but despite having impressed the crowds, the team knows that they have a lot more in the tank and will have to tighten up in all departments as the knock-out stages get under way.

Posted: 18 Oct 09

Match 2 - British Army XXXV's vs Saints (Win 14 - 3)
12 Oct 09

Following their convincing initial victory, day two of the World Masters saw a significantly changed Army XXXV line up take on the "Saints", who had been equally impressive during their first fixture. The Army made a positive start with a combination of effective kicking, from SSgt Mark Reed (RE) at 10, powerful forward drives and illusive running from the back three. However, infringements and handling errors in the final third frustrated their ability to convert this early pressure into points and, having weathered the storm, the Saints showed their resilience as they broke from deep. Though their attack was thwarted by some tenacious Army cover defence, the pressure forced an infringement under the posts, which the Saints duly converted to open the scoring (Saints 3 - Army 0).

Following the restart a series of penalties at the breakdown again put the Army on the back foot as the Saints drove deep into their 22. However, aggressive scrummaging, rucking and tackling around the fringes not only prevented the Saints from crossing the Army line but also eventually established a platform which allowed the backs to breakout with some excellent inter-play from the centre partnership of Maj Mike Nawaqaliva (RLC) and Cpl Filipe Turagabeci (RMP), shear pace from LCpl Dan Ratu (RLC) and a pin-point kick into the corner from Mark Reed. Though the Saints cleared from the lineout they failed to find touch and SSgt Errol Jones (RE) showed his own pace and power and was finally bundled into touch just yards short of the line. With their tails up the Army turned over the ball at the line out and the backs threatened the line again through a slick rehearsed move, only to be penalised again. The Saints immediately took advantage. Swift movement of the ball through the hands and some direct running appeared to have delivered a clear run to the line for their winger only to be brought down by a tremendous cover tackle from LCpl Tom Tom Turagabeci (RLC). However, the Saints' pressure did not abate and the half time whistle was a welcome one for the Army.

The early stages of the second half saw both sides struggle to establish any rhythm as penalties came thick and fast. However, it was the Army that broke the dead-lock. Sgt Dave Goddard (RE) collected a deep Saints' kick, stepping past and driving over would-be tacklers, forcing a quickly taken penalty. A succession of flowing hands by the backs and powerful driving runs by the forwards finally allowed Tom Tom Turagabeci to breach the Saints' defence and score under the posts. Mark Reed duly slotted the conversion (Saints 3 - Army 7). The score did little to dampen the determination of the Saints, however, and the Army was again forced to defend hard. When the opportunity came, though, they switched rapidly to the attack. SSgt Tim Gibbs (RE) capitalised on a Saints error taking a quick penalty then feeding Mark Reed who, after breaking two tackles, fed Dan Ratu, who raced through the remaining Saints defence. With one man to beat Ratu passed inside to the skipper, WO1 Kev Davies (RE), who was rewarded for his excellent support work with a clear run to the posts. Taff Reed again converted.

Still the Saints failed to give up, but in the final stages of the game the Army began to establish some real control. The front row began to dominate the scrums convincingly, and the pack as a whole drove effectively around the breakdown, recycling quality ball for the backs who began to link increasingly effectively. In the end the final whistle came all too soon.

So a solid, if not stylish, performance from the Army. However, this far sterner test should stand us in good stead as the competition hots up.

Posted: 18 Oct 09

Match 1 - Army XXXV's vs Uni/Norths (Win 33-0)
11 Oct 09

The first game was against the Uni-North Owls, who had beaten the Australian Staff College team 65-0 the previous week. Fortunately, the Army team's preparations paid off, and despite a slightly below par performance the Army won 33-0.

Posted: 18 Oct 09