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Inter-Service Champions 2005

Job done, and as they say - "the rest is history"

Army 41 - Navy 15

Army 55 - RAF 12

The winning Army team 2005 - Click to enlarge

Reporter: Roger Thompson

The Army won a historic fourth consecutive BABCOCK INTERNATIONAL Championship at Twickenham when they first battered and then sunk the Royal Navy 41 pts-15 pts. No other team, in eighty five years of Inter Services rugby, has achieved four victories in a row.

The Army and Navy had great support at this largest of social gatherings in the military calendar. As the car parks and reunion marquees emptied into the stadium the Red and Navy Blue partisans put the bonhomie on hold. Army v Navy rugby rivalry is as serious as it gets in peacetime, everyone determined to show that their team would not lack support.

The stirring rendition of the National Anthem by the hundred strong band of the Duke of York's School did little to calm the nerves. It whetted the appetite for the 45,000 present and emphasized the traditional intensity of this magnificent occasion.

The sun shone, the East Stand was warm but from the first whistle the pitch was red hot. At the first scrum, surprisingly well into the match, the Reds submerged the Navy front row down to periscope depth. Chris Budgen(Northampton Saints) and Steve Trethewey (Otley) gave their much vaunted opposite numbers Bartlett and Parkes a torrid time and it took a huge effort from the Navy back five forwards to keep their ship afloat.

With such an advntage the Army were quick to launch a series of high speed attacks. Left wing Bruno Green (Newbury) and No 8 Isoa DamuDamu (Harlequins) were unlucky to be hauled down close to the line. More importantly the slick interplay between the Army's forwards and backs set the strategic pattern for the match, with the Reds playing ambitious rugby.

The Navy controlled their own lines-out well and fought hard for parity in the loose. In the early exchanges, their forwards were effective at the maul and rumbled bravely up 'Route1'. There were moments when only stout defence by the 'footsloggers' kept the Army line intact.

Even in the darker moments , the Army team showed the sustained desire to counter attack. England Counties locks Lee Soper (Launceston) and Andy Smith (Newbury) became increasingly dominant in the turbine house and, unable quickly to regroup, the Navy juggernaut ground to a virtual standstill.

Former barrister and recently turned professional referee Wayne Barnes may have turned a Nelsonian eye to bouts of skulduggery in the bilges but recourse to the letter of the law became unnecessary when the main perpetrator departed Twickenham early for some tender loving care.

For the last quarter, the Navy were hard pressed to achieve even a degree of parity. The Reds started to attack off the scrum and, increasingly, from good second phase possession. Recent Sevens World Cup winnerApo Satala, an early focus for brave Navy defence, had a relatively quiet game but compatriot DamuDamu at No 8 produced 80 minutes of fireworks.

DamuDamu and back row replacements Ledua Jope and Taniela Delaitamana raced into the heart of a Navy defence that appeared to be structured on rugby league lines. The initial crust was hard to crack but there was little depth and no third phase cover. Once through DamuDamu, Jope and Delaitamana, who scored two tries, were clear to the line.

As the Navy defence leaked on an industrial scale, Soper and Smith found an extra yard of pace and tonne of ballast. Soper ran hard and lept like a salmon to maintain the advantage. Smith, already recognised by the Barbarians, carried the ball with such determination that three blue shirts failed to stop him thundering under the posts.

And with a 41 pts-15 pts victory under the belt, it's back to that 'platform'. Props Budgen and Trethewey and hooker George Kemble are more the piano shifters than the pianists but they do play a merry tune for those who really have to face the music. At no time can you hide in the front row. The powerful performance of these 18 stone athletes reflected ten months of gruelling dedication in the gym, miles of track work and eyeball-to-eyeball scrum contests every weekend.

Executive Chairman Gordon Campbell presented Army skipper Mal Roberts with the BABCOCK Trophy leaving it to Vice Captain Andy Smith to receive the Championship Bowl from former England centre and now President of the RFU, Malcolm Phillips.

The B SKY B television commentary team nominated Isoa DamuDamu as the BABCOCK Man of the Match. The trophy and a magnum of champagne was presented by Kevin Thomas of BABCOCK Infrastructure Services. Such a performance confirms recent opinion that Damu will be the next Army player recognised by Fiji.

The ever pragmatic Army coach Andy Hickling concluded that "a win is a win, but I had hoped for the sort of flair that would have reflected a very successful season. Fair play to the Navy, they tackled well and were hard to break down but we were slow to off-load to keep the momentum going. On the plus side the forwards were immense and we have found young players who I know can sustain Army rugby at this level for the next five years. We are very proud to have won four BABCOCK championships back-to-back and we must now build to make it five".

Earlier in the season the Army beat the RAF 57pts-12 at Aldershot. In turn, in their first Inter Service win for eight years, the RAF overcame the Navy 24 pts-16 pts. Post Twickenham, the matelots returned to Portsmouth, with the wooden spoon, for a spot of keel-hauling.

Steps on the Road to Twickenham

Step 11 - Army (25) vs NZ Army (15) - 28 Apr 05 Step 10 - Army (12) vs Harlequins (65) - 19 Apr 05 Step 9 - Army (57) vs RAF (12) - 6 Apr 05   Extra Step 8 - Army (19) vs Wasps (50) - 22 Feb 05 Step 7 - Army (10) vs Oxford Uni (22) - 9 Feb 05 Step 6 - Army (36) vs Cambridge Uni (19) - 26 Jan 05 Step 5 - Army A (16) vs Blackheath (29) - 26 Jan 05 Step 4 - Senior XV (27) vs Gloucester (29) - 18 Jan 05 Step 3 - Army vs Harlequins Academy - 11/12 Jan 05 Step 2 - Senior XV Rugby In Aldershot - 11/12 Jan 05 Step 1 - Trials - 8 Dec 04

Final steps - The Road to Twickenham - 'Reds' Chilli Hot For Babcock Trophy

The Babcock Inter-Services Championship culminates on Saturday 7th May with the thunderous Army v Navy match at Twickenham.

The Royal Navy are hungry to prove that, leading up to the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, they have not lost their appetite for a pretty mean scrap.

Royal Navy Chairman of Selection and Head Coach, Mike Connolly, has prepared the Dark Blues pack which will lead the assault on the enemy’s line. Nick Bartlett is retained as skipper in a strong front row that includes Dan Parkes (Plymouth). Marsh Cormack will push the pistons in the engine room. Flanker Matt Parker is likely to spearhead moves to keep the heavy mob moving forward.

At half back Dave Pascoe has the experience to control the tempo of ‘naval ops’. From full back Jamie Caruana will be keen to rustle a few red feathers.

The Army have prepared at a high-tempo training camp in Cape Province, South Africa. We may be the current favourites and have several players who have played at representative level, but we are assuming nothing said Lt Col Andy Hickling, Director of Elite Rugby and Senior Coach. We want to fire the silver bullet at Twickenham. Only the best players with current form have been selected to meet the Navy.

The mention of Twickenham notched the conversation up a gear. With Northampton Saints’ Chris Budgen and Otley’s Steve Trethewey in the Army front row, I am confident we can match the Navy in every phase . The Army back row includes Apolosi Satala, the Fijian international who recently returned from Hong Kong with a World Cup Sevens winner’s medal. At lock is the England Counties pairing of Andy Smith and Lee Soper.

We are preparing to play team rugby in all parts of the Twickenham park, said Andy Hickling. The military analogy suits us well drilled heavy armour striking at the heart of the Navy’s defence with infantry skirmishing on the flanks surging forward in wave after wave. We want the Army to ‘Rule these Waves’ and it would suit ‘The Reds’ to keep the ball chilli hot!

At Twickenham on 7th May the war of words will stop. As the captains issue their final call to arms and 45,000 vocal partisans take their seats, both teams will enter the stadium with fixed stares, weapons loose in the holster and safety catches off.

In 2005, the Royal Navy is celebrating Trafalgar. Navy team manager, Bob Penfold, said, “The team is up for it this year like never before. We were deeply disappointed by the unexpected result against the RAF last week and we do not intend to sail away from Twickenham with the wooden spoon.” He continued “We face a mighty task but our intention is to make Lord Nelson proud of our men in Blue with true hearts of oak.”

The Army players have 400 years of tradition to defend. It’s about Regimental pride, self-respect and walking tall. Many will only recently have returned from operations in Iraq. Their comrades, on night patrol during the match, will get radio messages—the cheers if the victorious Reds lift the Babcock Trophy will be heard from Basra to the souks of Baghdad!

The Army v Navy match kicks off at 3.00pm on Saturday and a full day of rugby at HQ includes Combined Services U21 v English Universities U21 and the National Emerging Schools Rugby Festival. Add to that feast the Band of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dover with their formidable musical skills and we have the makings of a great day for every rugby fan, soldier, sailor, tinker and tailor.

(Read more of the South African tour Official SA Tour news         Postcards from the Cape)

British Army Team

15 Sgt Mal Roberts (Captain) * RLC
14 Pte Saula Roko ++ RGBW
13 Cpl Andrew Parkinson Royal Signals
12 Capt Edward Smith The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment
11 Cpl Bruno Green + ++ Royal Engineers
10 Capt Jim Farndon Parachute Regiment
9 LBdr Gareth Slade-Jones Royal Artillery
1 Cpl Steve Trethewey REME
2 Cpl George Kemble Royal Welch Fusiliers
3 Cpl Chris Budgen Royal Welch Fusiliers
4 Sgt Andrew Smith (Vice Captain) * RLC
5 LBdr Lee Soper 7(PARA) RHA
6 Pte Apolosi Satala + ++ Royal Scots
7 LBdr Andy Dawling ++ 7(PARA) RHA
8 Hldr Isoa DamuDamu Highlanders

Replacements

16 Sgt Charlie Bentley 7(PARA) RHA
17 Cpl John Beart Royal Signals
18 Cpl Ben Hughes Royal Engineers
19 Pte Ledua Jope ++ Adjutant General’s Corps
20 Pte Taniela Delaitamana Royal Regiment of Wales
21 LCpl Daryl Slade-Jones REME
22 Spr Eugene Viljoen Royal Engineers

+ Denotes International
* Denotes Barbarian
++ Denotes International (Sevens)

Royal Navy Team

15 OM Jamie Caruana + HMS Richmond
14 L/Cpl Greg Morgan RM Poole
13 S/Lt Adam Rooke BRNC Dartmouth
12 Capt Tom Ryall RM 42 Commando
11 SA Manoa Satala HMS Gloucester
10 OM Dave Roberts HMS Temeraire
9 LAEM Dave Pascoe RNAS Culdrose
1 CPO(R) Nick Bartlett (Captain) HMNB Devonport
2 Mne Michael Beeson 42 Commando
3 AEM Dan Parkes RNAS Yeovilton
4 Surg Lt Anton Fries Fort Blockhouse
5 LAEM Marsh Cormack HMS Sultan
6 Capt Matt Parker RM OCLC London
7 Capt Will Pilkington RM FPGRM
8 Mne Gareth Evans CTCRM

Replacements

16 Sgt Colin Milkins 42 Commando
17 AEM John Court RNAS Culdrose
18 Mne Dave Heaney 45 Commando
19 Mne Rhodri Dicks AFCO Cardiff
20 LPT Andrew Dennis HMS Collingwood
21 Mne Andy Quick 45 Commando
22 CPO Dave Sibson HMS Collingwood

+ Denotes International

Reporter: Andy Hickling

One week to go and the challenge of the New Zealand Army gave the Army the sternest of tests.

It became apparent as soon as the game began that the Army were going to have to be in top form if they were to come away with a victory. It was the Army forwards that won the day with a magnificent performance in all phases of play. The lineout and scrummage were particularly impressive with the front row very dominant. Steve Tretheway was rightly warded Man of the Match by Pegasus, the sponsors of the game.

Army Coach Andy Hickling was absolutely delighted with the result in what was a Test match atmosphere, with caps being awarded. "To come through a game of that intensity with a good victory and no injuries pays testament to the fitness of the team. The only disappointment is that I feel the three-quarters could have been more clinical in their finishing". Still it is always good to have work to do, and work we will do, as we go into the final weeks preparation for the Navy in just over a weeks time.

One aim one goal Twickenham 7 May 1500

Other NZ Army 2005 Tour match results.              See NZ Army Rugby Tour 2005 web page.

Reporter: Andy Hickling

Harlequins were true to their word and field their full first team against the Army on Tuesday evening.

The Army were able to field close to a full strength team and the first half performance by the men in red really was one of the best performance ever seen by an Army team at Aldershot. The half time score line of 35 to 12 to Quins did not fully reflect the amount of play or possession the Army had. The Quins superior upper body strength played dividends with 3 tries scored from driving lineouts and the boot of Arwell Thomas always kept Quins well in front. Two magnificent tries from Frankie Green and Mal Roberts always kept the Army in the hunt.

The second half degenerated into a bit of a farce when Quins changed their entire team at half time bringing on a team still made up of professional full time players who had prepared specifically for the second half. To be fair the Army ran out of steam a and leaked a further 30 points.

Andy Hickling was delighted by the first half performance but frustrated and annoyed at the events of the second half. "Lets just forget that whole second 40 minutes and look forward positively to NZ Army" was his only comment following the game.

Reporter: Andy Hickling

The Army put in a tremendously powerful performance against the RAF to thump them by 57 points to 12 in the first of this season's Inter-Service games, truly laying down the challenge to the Navy.

Scoring 9 unanswered tries the Army prove far too powerful in every department.

Coach Andy Hickling said: "This was a very satisfying day at the office, a very professional, clinical performance, without ever really getting into top gear. I was particular pleased with the 6 new caps who showed great composure and presence throughout the game. We can now look forward with confidence to Twickenham when I fully expect the team to show even more composure and flair".

Result: Army 57 RAF 12

Army Team

1. Steve Terethwey
2. George Kemble
3. Chris Budgen
4. Smudge Smith
5. Lee Soper
6. Andy Dawling
7. Mark Lee - New Cap
8. Denny Deliatamana
9. Gareth Slade Jones
10. Jim Farndon - New Cap
11. Frankie Green
12 Ed Smith
13. Andy Parkinson - New Cap
14. Sol Roko
15. Mal Roberts

Repalcements (All played)
16. Daryl Salde Jones 17. Kim Vuadreu - New Cap 18. Boka Viljeon - New Cap 19. Charlie Bentley 20. Ben Hughes 21 Jope Ledua - New Cap 22 John Beart

Babcock Man of the Match - Army Scrum Half - Gareth Slade Jones

Try scores were:
Gareth Slade Jones - 2
Chris Budgen - 1
George Kemble
Kim Vuadreu
Frankie Green
Jim Farndon
Smudge Smith - Penalty Try
Mal Roberts - 6 conversions

The RAF described the match as "REDWASH" - read their match report at www.rafru.com

BFBS video report - see it at www.ssvc.com

Army Reds scheduled to retain rugby's Babcock trophy

Reporter: Roger Thompson for Soldier magazine

The Army Reds swamped a gallant Royal Air Force by 57pts –12 at Aldershot on 6th April to retain the BABCOCK Cup. An awesome winger’s try by Frankie Green in the opening minutes set a tempo that the Airmen could not match in any department except pride and spirit.

The Airmen were up against a team fresh from a devilish beasting in South Africa’s Cape Province where new caps fly half Jim Farndon and outside centre Andy Parkinson dovetailed their skills in to an already polished framework.

The raw power of the Red’s pack was epitomised by Northampton Saints Chris Budgen who ‘bagged a brace’ of tries on the night. Partnered by Otley’s Steve Trethewey and Rhymney hooker George Kemble, the front row laid down a foundation from where England Counties locks Lee Soper (Launceston) and Andy Smith (Newbury) showed their super-charged ball carrying skills. Smith’s try from 40m was a fine exhibition of ‘one eyed’ determination.

Mark Lee, the Army No 7, who gained his Scotland cap at the recent Hong Kong World Cup Sevens and his first Army cap at Aldershot, was everywhere lighting fires that the RAF failed to extinguish. Having played at flanker and scrum half in the Scottish Premiership, Mark added an extra tactical dimension at the ruck and maul.

The champagne moment of the game was served up on a silver salver by Army scrum half Garath Slade-Jones. Rugby vision, refined over many years from Welsh valleys school playground to Twickenham, created a flow of outrageous dummies, swerves and hands-off to see him through a sea of blue shirts to the posts. Garath was awarded the BABCOCK tankard as the ‘Man of the Match’.

The Reds scored nine tries from the top drawer. That said, coach Andy Hickling’s inevitable midnight ‘video’ sessions will show that none of them were easy. The Airmen fought until the ammunition, the fuel and the rations ran out. Led by the competitive Barbarian lock Peter Taylor, winning his twenty first cap, a relatively inexperienced pack held together bravely in the set pieces. Fly half Ian Morgan landed four successful penalty kicks and they will have taken great heart from this gritty performance when they meet the Navy at Newbury on 27 April.

The Army now marches forward to the BABCOCK TROPHY against the Royal Navy on 7 May. Before they reach Twickenham there is a major skirmish against the New Zealand Army on 28 April. The ‘Blacks’are in the UK commemorating the 60th anniversary of the ‘Khaki Kiwis’ European tour in 1945. It is hoped that some survivors of the tour that put international rugby back on its feet after World War 2 will accompany the New Zealanders to Aldershot.

Army vs RAF match preview

(posted 31 Mar 05)

The Army are odds-on favourites to win the Babcock Trophy for the fourth year running. The fiercely contested Inter-Services rugby competition played over 3 weeks culminates in the thunderous Army v Navy match at Twickenham on 7th May.

An experienced Army squad includes many of the players who scored over two hundred points in the last two campaigns. In contrast the RAF who kick off the championship against the Army at Aldershot on 6th April have a relatively new-look side but could spring a few surprises. The Airmen have been building patiently since the glory days of England's Rory Underwood and Paul Hull and are now bringing forward players groomed in their highly successful Youth Squad.

With veteran Barbarian Flt Lt Peter Taylor lighting the fire in the boiler room, they will not lack for a feisty edge. At flanker Flt Lt Matt Cornish will certainly maraud along the off side line waiting for an opportunity to launch an Air Force attack.

The Army squad has prepared at a high-tempo training camp in Cape Province, South Africa, where they won three of their four matches against strong opposition " The team is playing well and we hope to hit 'peak revs' against the RAF on Wednesday" said Lt Col Andy Hickling the Army's Director of Representative Rugby. Read more about their South African Tour and read what 'The boys' had to say in their Postcards from the Cape.

"We may be the Inter-Service Champions and have several players who have performed on the international stage but we are taking nothing for granted. In South Africa new names have emerged to challenge the established stars. It's all to play for and only the best players with current form and style will wear the red jersey.

The mere mention of the red jersey seemed to move the conversation up a gear. "With Northampton Saints Cpl Chris Budgen (Royal Welch Fusiliers) and Otley's Cpl Steve Trethewey (REME) in the Army front row, I am confident we have the necessary firepower to match the other Services in every phase, including the attrition battle. Nevertheless, the Army has trained to play team rugby in all the channels and from depth. The All Blacks model suits us -well drilled mobile armour up front supporting massed cavalry on the flanks-- attacking in wave after wave. We want 'The Reds' to keep the ball spinning!"

The match against the RAF will help us prepare for the Kiwi onslaught at Aldershot on Thursday 28th April. The Kiwis are touring to commemorate the 1946 All Blacks visit to the UK after World War 2. All their players were, at that stage, still in the Armed Forces. The New Zealand Army tour dates are given here.

Tickets: 01252 334415

Reporter: Andy Hickling

A score line of 50 to 19 in Wasps favour suggests another poor performance by the Army; far from it. Wasps played the Army the highest of compliments by fielding a very strong team. It took the Army a while to adjust to the pace and power of the game. But adjust they did and after leaking a few silly tries early in the first half the Army took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and matched Wasp at a score each in the second period.

Army Coach Andy Hickling drew some great positives out of the game. Mark Lee, fresh from International Sevens duty with Scotland, brought tremendous pace, power and vision to the back row and in what was a rather poor performance by the back line over the whole 80 minutes, Andy Parkinson continues to push hard for his first cap. The scrum half battle between the Slade Jones brothers is a long way from being resolved and places for the starting XV against the RAF are going to be hotly contested throughout the training camp in South Africa.

Next stop Cape Town where the power, pace and aggression of South African rugby will provide a serious challenge to the Army's pursuit of excellence.

The forwards put in great performance after the disappoint of Oxford Uni and the team is certainly heading in the right direction in pursuit of the inter service title in 2005.

Result: Army 19 Wasps 50

Reporter: Andy Hickling

What a disappointing performance by the Army, especially coming on the back of their very good victory over Cambridge a fortnight ago. It certainly was not to be the double over the University teams this season. What was most disappointing about the performance was the manor of the defeat. The Army team were never in the game and were outscored 4 tries to 1.

The Army pack was totally outplayed in the front five and were it not for the dynamic performance of the back row the defeat could have been worse.

The Army squandered numerous try scoring opportunities.

Army Team

1. Monster Howard REME
2. Charlie Bentley 7 Para RHA
3. John Beart Royal Signals
4. Ben Hughes RE
5. Darryl Ball RE
6. Apolisi Satal Royal Scots
7. Andy dawling 7 Parta RHA
8. Isoa Damu Damu Highlanders
9. Garath Slade Jones RA
10. Rob Smart RAMC att HCR
11. SolRoko RGBW
12. Rory Greenslade Jones 7 Para RHA
13. Andy Parkinson Royal Signals
14 Kim Vuadreu RLC
15 Mal Roberts (Captain) RLC

Repalcements 16. Johnny Mathews RWF 17. Tom Hughes RE 18. Smudge Smith RLC 19. Denny Deleaitamana RRW 20 Viliamu Teko REME

Andy Hickling, the Army coach, was left totally frustrated by the whole evening stating: "This is one of the worst performance I have seen by the team for a long long time. I feel we have wasted an opportunity to move forward and I am particularly disappointed by the forward effort, especially in the first half. If we are to defend the inter-service title we certainly have to be clinical in our finishing. Once again we finished the game strongly and the performances of Apolisa Satala and Denny Delatimana in the back row is what I would expect from Army forwards, they were both outstanding. There is a lot of work to do!"

Go to Oxford University RUFC Website at www.ourfc.org/

Result: Army 10 Oxford University 22

Reporter: Andy Hickling

The third game in as many weeks for the Army squad was almost the proverbial ‘game of two halves’. A chilly, but well-supported Grange Road, was witness to an impressive and dynamic opening period by the Army in the traditional January fixture, taking aback the newly-skippered Cambridge XV, comprising eleven ‘Blues’.

With Satala and Soper appearing for the first time in the pack, and Parkinson getting an opportunity in the centres, the army were in an invidious position of utilising their experience and cohesion whilst experimenting with new combinations in an attempt to concrete the squad for the forthcoming training camp in March.

The normally electric Cambridge XV were given a taste of their own medicine from the start, as the Army hit the ground running. Competitive in the scrummage, and eager to play attacking rugby, the Army pressured the Blues well, kicking a penalty into their corner. The secured line-out saw a well-controlled maul allow Apolisi Satala to nonchalantly break three close tackles to stroll over. 7-0.

Army Team

1.Steve Tretheway REME
2.George Kemble RWF
3.John Beart Royal Signals
4.Lee Soper RA
5.Darryl Ball RE
6.Apolisi Satal Royal Scots
7.Denny Deleaitamana RRW
8.Hld Isoa Damudamu Highlanders
9.Garath Slade Jones RA
10.JimFarndon Para
11.SolRoko RGBW
12.Ed Smith DWR
13.Andy Parkinson Royal Signals
14.Frankie Green RE
15.Mal Roberts (Captain) RLC

Repalcements 16. Monster Howard REME 17. Charlie Bently RA 18. Ben Hughes RE 19. Jope Ludua AGC 20 Andy Dawling RA 21 Rob Smart RAMC 22 Kim Vuadreu 23 Viliamu Teko REME

Six minutes later, a quick tapped-penalty in the Army 22 caught Cambridge unawares, and some good interplay combined with some quickly rucked phase ball saw the fall spun into the hands of Bruno Green who rounded off an outstanding exhibition team score. 12-0.

Cambridge were then stung into action, following a poor restart reception by the Army, and drove a penalty line-out close. They had managed, however, to suck in the Army defence and linked well from right to left to allow their left wing to dive into his corner. 12-5.

There was touch of fortune about the Army’s next score 10 minutes later. After the red pack had pinched a line-out and driven on well from half-way, Scrum-half Gareth Slade-Jones delivered a ‘Barnes-Wallis’ pass to the midfield whose bounce allowed centre Ed Smith to slide through the defence, and after some more neat inter-play between forwards and backs, flanker Damudamu finished off.

The Army continued to pressure the Blues and after another poor home line-out, looked to exploit the wide open spaces. Following a scrum on the Army 22, fly-half Jim Farndon’s well directed cross-field wiper was hounded down by Green and Roberts down the left flank, and the Army simply picked up after a great chase and tackle, to allow the back-row to complete their scoring dominance with no 8 Denny Dielatanamanua rounding off another long range Army score. 29- 5 at half-time.

The veteran Cambridge ‘Svengali’, Tony Rodgers, appeared to use his time well during the interval, as the Army found life a little more difficult after the break. Changes were made on both sides but neither team was willing to sacrifice their chance of winning the fixture. The Blues did control more of the possession during the more fragmented second half, and their pack was able to sent up several strong line-outs drives. The Army penalty count continued to rise as the thermometer fell, and Cambridge pegged the Army back deep into their 22. The ensuing lineout and drive was initially repelled but Cambridge did well to re-organise and produce a forwards score wide out on the right. Jon Ufton, the former Wasps fullback, converted sweetly from the acute angle. 29-12.

The remainder of the half was nip and tuck with both teams sparring for possession and field position. The Army, it could be argued, were perhaps trying too hard and occasionally gave away the ball when trying to adventurously attack from long range, ceding advantage to their opponents. Another close lineout saw Cambridge score another try, softly on this occasion, and one could sense Cambridge sniffing a result. 29-19.

This was quashed, however, and the Army defence held firm as their opponents threw what they could at the defensive ‘red wall’. Any doubt was removed when another pacey break down the short-side by the effervescent Bruno Green set up replacement centre Teiko for a run-in. Ed Smith, the fourth Army kicker of the night, rounded off proceedings, with a horribly struck dead-duck which regrettably counted for two points, earning the Army a pleasing 36-19 victory.

Another good performance by the Army has continued to put pressure on the Army Head Coach, Andy Hickling, as he draws closer to selecting his final senior squad. He remarked, “It is a hard task that lies ahead of us, but what a good position to be in! A coach would always like to have too many quality players around him than not enough, but it does mean that someone will miss out. It’s unfortunate but that is what competitive sport is about at this level.”

Go to Cambridge University RUFC Website at www.curufc.com

Result: Army 36 Cambridge University 19

Reporter: Chris Fowke

Blackheath, the oldest open rugby club welcomed the Army A team to the Rectory field on Wed 26 January 05. Skippered by Steve Drawbridge at second row the aim of the 'A' team is to identify and provide players capable of playing for the Army senior XV. The team started like a group of players that were not familiar with playing together and with only two training sessions together that statement was very true !

Blackheath started well and produced some effective driving mauls, capitalizing on some initial weak Army defence and after 20 minutes found themselves three tries and a conversion up to lead 17 - 0, step forward Army A flanker Grant Gatford who decided to go 'route one' and produced some penetrating runs to run in an excellent score, with Martin Wright converting made it 17 - 7.

Army Team

1. Kev Rank
2. Finlay Bibby
3. Andy Bell.
4. Dave Faulkner
5. Steve Drawbridge (Capt)
6. Grant Gatford
7. Jeff Saunders
8. Bruce Francis
9. Adrian Hogben
10. Martin Wright
11. Richard Orzel
12. Colin Sadler
13. Nick Derney
14. John Ratubuli
15. Mark Honeybun

Replacements 16. Tom Hughes 17. Nac Niciqa 18. Ralph Cook 19. Warren Kidney 20. Alastair Mullens 21. Cam Camasoko.

Management - Director of Rugby - Chris Fowke, Manager - Byron Cordy, Coaching Staff - Chris Brown, Steve Berryman, Steve Powley.
Kit - Mark Thompson Physio - Sue Fowler.

        

Grant Gatford                             Richard Orzel

Blackheath utilized their quick wings to score again in the corner to extend to 22 - 7 however Richard Orzel playing at wing produced further try saving tackles covering from the other wing to bring down certain tries.

The Army started to play as a unit and it was from a three man well worked line out that Grant Gatford crashed through to score his second try under the posts and with a good conversion brought the score the 22 - 12 at half time.

The second half was a much more even period; the Army spent the majority of the time camped in the Blackheath half, however stout Blackheath defence stopped the score from advancing. Richard Orzel playing in his preferred position of full back in the second half produced some superb running lines to attack from deep and gain large areas of ground. It was Blackheath that broke from deep in their own half to score on the 36th minute to go 29 - 12 up and most people though that was it, however to their credit the Army A team had not finished and Martin Wright broke well to beat several defenders then offloaded to Cam Camasoko to level the second half scores but see Blackheath run out winner by 29 - 19. The next A game is at London Welsh on wed 23 Feb 05.

Go to Blackheath Website at www.blackheathrugby.co.uk

Result: Army 16 Blackheath 29

Reporter: Tim Osman      Photos: Andy Dawling

The Army narrowly lost a keenly contested contest and entertaining match at a freezing Aldershot Rugby stadium last night. With Head Coach Andy Hickling continuing the rotation of players before finalising his squad next week, the Army produced a much improved performance from last week and looked by far the stronger team at the close.

Comprising mainly their Academy, bolstered by a few 1st XV players, Gloucester started sprightly and were quick to take advantage of any error made by the Army. With some threatening pace out wide, they pressured well causing the Army to leak two early tries. The Army responded well, however, and refused to buckle showing particular resolve against Gloucester's formidable driving power.

Army Team

Sgt Howard 100 RA
Sgt Bently - 7 Para RHA
Cpl Beart 21 Sig Regt
Sgt Smith - 3 GS Regt RLC
Cpl Ball - 42 Geo Regt RE
Pte Jope 32 Regt RA AGC
Hldr Damu Damu Highlanders
Lt Lee KOBR
Lt Farndon - Harrogate
Lt Smith - Dukes - Pirbrights
Cfn Teko - 7 Bn REME
Pte Roko - RGBW
LBdr Lacey - 7 Para RHA
Spr Viljohn - 25 Regt RE

Replacements
Pte Camasoco Green Howards
Cfn Slade Jones 47 Regt RA
Lt Griffiths - 39 Regt RA
Cpl Hughes - 25 Regt RE
Cpl Smart HCR RAMC
Pte Vuadrue - 2CS Regt RLC
Pte Dielatanamanua - RRW
Gnr Badroumo RA

The Army's first try was scored by a fine individual effort by Fly- half Jim Farndon, after a rampaging run by the ever impressive Army back row forward Isoa Damu Damu. Another defensive lapse allowed Gloucester to pinch a third try against the run of play.

The Army hit back on the stroke of half time with a well worked counter attack to scorch 60 yards with winger Sol Roko rounding off the score in the corner.

       

The second half was interrupted by a serious neck injury to a Gloucester player and when the sides returned from the warmth of the dressing room after the enforced second break the Army had 15 minutes to catch up the two try deficit. They produced some thrilling 15 man rugby, showing control and composure whilst chasing the game. Another marvelous team move saw Rock Badroumo touching down before Damu got himself on the score sheet with the last play of the game.. Sadly neither try was converted the Army fell three points short of a victory but level on tries at five each.

Coach Andy Hickling said afterwards, "I'm impressed with the players attitude this week, and despite the loss, happy with their performance. I feel we are in good shape and position after only two matches together and I know the players will respond to the challenging games ahead. This is yet another piece in the jigsaw towards the defence of the inter - service title"

Go to Gloucester Website at www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

Result: Army 27 Gloucester 29

Due to the huge success of the trail day and notification of potential talent through the scouting network it was possible for the Army to filed 2 senior teams on 2 consecutive evenings in Aldershot at the home of Army Rugby.

Senior Coach Andy Hickling split his resources including tried tested and caped players in both games. The first game, against the Army Veterans on Tuesday 11 January, proved highly benefited to both teams. The result of the game was irrelevant, it was what both teams derived from the fixture that was important. Certainly the Army Vets were able to compete in a far faster paced game than they are used too,and their Director, Andy , had no doubt it would benefit them immensely in their build up programme for the inter - service fixtures later in the season.

    

Development vs Veterans pictures

As far as the Senior XV was concerned it gave individuals the opportunity to force their way into the Army Squad and allowed a few capped players to cement their places in the squad.

For the record the Army XV ran out winners by 43 points to 10 and notable performances came from Ed Smith Boka Viljohn and Frankie Green.

Army vs Harlequins Academy - The following evening Wednesday 12 January, another Army XV took to the field against what turned to be the Harlequins Academy. The Quins players are the new blood of the club, full time young professionals many with experience at England age group level. The gap between full time players and the amateurs of the Army was quickly apparent. Fitness and power dominated throughout the night and Quins ran out easy winners 53 points to 20.

All was not doom and gloom and the aim was certainly achieved. Once again individuals either cemented their place in the squad or sadly were found wanting and not quite up to the standard required to make the cut to the squad for the inter - service build up. Particularly good performances came from Rory Greenslade Jones, back from the cols after a 2 year absence from the team, and new comer fresh from the New York Sevens Kim Vuadreu RLC who brought pace and flair to the back division. Damu Damu, playing against his club, proved yet again what a great talent he is.

Hickling said after the game "We must not run before we can walk, we have achieved a lot in the past 3 days and I am now a lot further forward than I was on Monday lunch time. Sadly I will still have to use the Game against Gloucester sat Kingsholme next week (Tuesday 18 January KO 1930) to identify my final squad, allowing me to go into the university games with a settled squad. I would really have liked to have been able to do this next week but we must never forget the end aim, victories over the RAF and Navy".

There is no doubt that there is a lot of talanted players available to the Senior XV this season ,so much so that a shadow Army team will now go forward to play 5 fixtures. The team will be know as the A Xv and the highlight of the season fro this team will be when they provide opposition as a warm up fixture to the toring New Zealand Army in April.

After the huge success of the trials held on the 8th December the Army coach, Andy Hickling, feels that he has so much talent available that he has now arranged 2 games in 2 days to allow the players to have a further opportunity to make the squad for this seasons Inter-Service games.

He will field teams on 2 consecutive nights in Aldershot, the 11th and 12th of January. The first game will be against the Army Veterans, a fixture which will also also allow the Veterans to cement their places in the inter service squad and the second game is against old rivals Harlequins.

Both games kick off at 1930.

Get yourself down to the rugby stadium in Aldershot and support your team and follow them on the road to Twickenham.

Wed 8 Dec 04 - 40 Elite Army players gathered in Aldershot to allow the Senior XV Management to cast their eye over what is available in the build up to the big day.

A highly successful day with new talent discovered, no doubt new caps will awarded this year. If you missed you chance or were unavailable contact Andy Hickling - 07967303296 - don't call don't play at Twickenham.

Contact Andy Hickling on 07967303296 or

E-mail: Andy.Hickling@tesco.net