Reported by: Kimberley Fowke

On a cold Wednesday afternoon the United Services Ground, Chatham hosted the second game of the Sappers Merit league fixtures; on this occasion welcoming the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) to Chatham. The previous season had seen the teams at opposite ends of the table but both knew that would not be a marker for this fixture.

The Sappers were without two combined Services players Ben Hughes and Darrell Ball but welcomed back workhorse Ian Black from Canada, Ralph Cooke after a nasty leg break during the summer, Jeff Sanders, Ginge Windle and Stu James.

Sapperrugby

1 - Nathan Young, 2 - Gareth Evans, 3 - Jungle Hince, 4 - Rob Taylor,
5 - Ralph Cooke, 6 - Mike Wildon,
7 - Grant Gatford (Skipper),
8 - Ian Black, 9 - Gilly Gill,
10 - 'Bocker' Viljeon,
11 - Dee Dranidulo, 12 - Matt Webster,
13 - Bruno Green, 14 - Stu James,
15 - Martin Wright,

Replacements: Kev Rank, Danny Coutes, Garry Windle, Brett Coupe, Lee Simpson, Jeff Saunders.

The Sappers started well and dominated the first 30 minutes, winning good lineout ball and putting much pressure on the REME defence. Veteran hooker Gareth Evans provided inspirational leadership for the Sapper pack. After a number of infringements the Sappers found themselves 9 - 0 up with Martin Wright converting three consecutive penalties.

Combined Services winger Bruno Green, playing in the centre for the Sappers, marshalled the three-quarter line and showed his class with some powerful running. After taking advantage of another good lineout win he burst through under the posts scoring with Martin Wright to add the conversion the Sapper lead 16 - 0.

From the restart REME had their first real period of pressure in the Sapper half and it was from their line out that they caught and drove the ball to score a well worked try from the pack to make the score 16 - 5. REME picked their heads up and continued to press the Sappers defence and after some good penetrative running they broke through the centre to score under the posts and convert leaving the half time score 16 - 12 to the Sappers.

    

The second half started with both sides moving the ball and working into their opponents half trying to secure the decisive try, however it was the REME that spent the majority of the time putting the pressure on the Sapper defensive line, only committed work from the defence held the red shirts out. Bruno Green broke down the right combining well with the wing, and forced REME to concede a penalty, that was converted by Martin Wright to push the gap to 19 -12.

REME however were not finished and shortly after, successfully added a penalty themselves to make the score 19 - 15. REME sensed the win and went for the kill pushing deep into the Sapper 22 for long periods and were unlucky not to score on several occasions. Again try saving tackles from Bruno Green prevented them going over, centre Matt Webster broke at the end for what was a disallowed try and the Sappers hung on for the win 19 - 15.

Man of the Match: Bruno Green - gave an outstanding performance playing out of position, scoring the only Sapper try, and preventing a certain REME one! He marshalled the defence and utilized his experience to assist the younger players, Well done!

Result: RE 19 REME 15

See also Sapperugby web site.