It was a cool, brisk day that awaited the players for the visit of the R Signals at Larkhill and a fluctuating game ensued between two evenly matched sides. The Gunners had had a less than ideal build up but took a strong team onto the pitch and gave a battling performance. The forwards shaded their battle and outside RARFC were a little more inventive than their opponents. It was a well earned victory that corrected the balance after the previous match.

R Signals applied the early pressure with the slight wind advantage in their favour. Having missed one opportunity they converted the second with a penalty on 7 minutes to take the lead. The Gunners settled into their stride and the continuity developed. The scrum provided a steady platform and the backs threw the ball wide. They were patient and it paid off as a good build up stretched the opposition both sides of the field. A clever switch put Casqusau clear at pace for Osman to act as the link and Jones was in for an excellent try.

Back came the opposition. Davies, under pressure inside his 22 made a lovely break but when he was hauled down the support wasn't quick enough and the R Signals ran it back and drove over to regain the lead.

RARFC Team

1. 1. Lt Sharp (AFC(H)),
2. Lt Davie (32 Regt),
3. Lt Griffiths (39 Regt),
4. Sgt Butler (7 Para RHA) (Capt),
5. Sgt Tidman (19 Regt),
6. Capt Budd (3 RHA),
7. Gnr Dowding (7 Para RHA),
8. Gnr Lotowa (19 Regt),
9. Lt Hogben (40 Regt),
10. 2 Lt Honeybun (39 Regt),
11. Gnr Seru (19 Regt),
12. Capt Osman (47 Regt),
13. Bdr Davies (47 Regt),
14. Lt Jones (7 Para RHA),
15.LBdr Casqusau (19 Regt).


Replacements: : Capt Derbyshire (19 Regt), Sgt Laurie (104 Regt), Sgt Jefferies (32 Regt), Bdr Guilbert (47 Regt), Gnr Tupuo (19 Regt), Gnr Uluikadavu (14 Regt), Gnr Vuli (1 RHA).

On the half-hour the RARFC were back in front as momentum took them close to their opponents' line. Osman broke through the first-up defence but was held just short of the line. From the scrum that followed Hogben, with his father watching, darted over for a try which Osman converted. The teams turned round 10-8.

The second half was more of the same with both sides endeavouring to break through well marshalled defences. Osman made the difference in the threequarters as he calmed things down for RARFC when it got ragged, but with ball in hand he continually asked questions of the opposition. Butler led from the front with some exemplary drives and a very solid performance in the lineout and Lotowa got through much work in the loose. The deciding score came just as the final quarter approached. The Gunners put a series of drives together and then released the backs. The ball was slung wide from one side of the pitch to the other with some tremendous handling and passing before the gap opened up for Casqusau to slice through to the line. Honeybun who had controlled the lines of attack with variety and guile, converted. The game lost no impetus and it remained a good spectacle right up to the final whistle.

Result: RARFC 17 R Sigs 8

See also RA RFC web site.