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| Revised on: Saturday, 23 June, 2007 | |
The 'Reds' march to Twickenham
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(39) v Navy (25) - 5 May 07 - posted 8 May 07 Army (54) v RAF (10) - Team - posted 22 Apr 07 Training Camp - Germany - posted 22 Apr 07 Army (0) v Barbarians (14) - 4 Apr 07 - posted 6 Apr 07 Army (41) v Esher (24) - 27 Mar 07 - posted 31 Mar 07 Army (48) v Oxbridge (24) - 21 Mar 07 - posted 27 Mar 07 Army (29) v Plymouth (14) - 27 Feb 07 - posted 1 Mar 07 Army (14) v Oxford Uni (30) - 13 Feb 07 - posted 19 Feb 07 2007 Army Squad announced - posted 2 Feb 07 The 'Reds' are on the march again! - posted 22 Jan 07 The 'Reds' need a mascot - posted 18 Jan 07 |
  Army win the Inter-Services Babcock Trophy for a record 6th consective time |
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Read the Head Coach's End of Centenary Season (2006-07) Report - posted 22 June 2007 Army (39) v Navy (25)
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| Led by the irrepressible Mal Roberts
(RLC) at full back the Army scored a try in the opening minutes, No
13 Peceli Nacamavuto (RE) exploding through the centre
only for the Navy to strike back with a penalty and a try
Thereafter the lead changed hands no fewer than six times before the Army drew away in the final quarter of an hour. The Army front row of Chris Budgen, Georgie Kemble (both R Welsh) and Steve Trethewey (REME) were rock solid and took every opportunity to drive the hard yards. At lock the Sapper pairing Ben Hughes and Darrell Ball complemented each other, Hughes taking the ball in at every opportunity to draw the tacklers whilst Ball, who has now added strength and physical presence to his valuable speed, moved the ball around the flanks and into space. |
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| Back row of Mark Lee and Isoa Damudamu (both Scots),and Ledua Jope (AGC), all sevens internationals, laid the foundation for a lively debate around the fringes and at the breakdown. Swift clear-out enabled the Reds' half backs James Gill (AMS) and Rob Sweeney (Welsh Guards) smoothly to transfer the ball to centres Apo Satala (Scots) and 'Man of the Match' Nacamavuto (RE) who did the damage. The sheer threat of Magnus Malakai (RLC) outside the centres helped stretch the Navy defence until it broke.
Navy right wing Josh Drauniniu scored two tries, the first from an interception when the Army has sufficient unmarked numbers out on the left to suffocate the dead ball area with red shirts. The Navy lead was cancelled out when Damudamu surged to the left corner, was tackled but not held and rose to thrust the ball over the line one handed. |
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 Malakai Magnus |
On 65 minutes with the score tied at 25pts all, Ben Seru (RE) zipped under te posts for a second 'sevens style' try and the pack doubled the advantage with an unstoppable surge using Steve Trethewey (REME) in the vanguard. Nacamavuto was undoubtedly the 'Man of the Match' for his runs at and through the Blues defence that gave the Army two possibly three tries. However 'mention in despatches' must go to the unproven half-back pairing of James Gill and Rob Sweeney who were newcomers to Twickenham where experience really counts.. The hinge worked sweetly and from there everything was possible. |
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Also Rob Sugden (Coldm Gds) who came on for Hughes, sealed off the line out and tackled, tackled, got up and tackled. I doubt whether Twickenham has seen such a defensive display by a lock forward in recent times at any level. This was a cracking game of rugby with sufficient brawn and brain for every taste in the 42,000 crowd. It was also the Army's best performance for some time. The forwards and backs moved harmoniously. Four tries came from inspirational play, the fifth from sheer power as the Navy pack ran out of gas. Fly half Sweeney kicked two penalties and converted four of the Reds' five tries.  Army XV 2007 - after their record 6th consecutive win against the Royal Navy at Twickenham - 5 May 2007
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Head Coach Andy Price (Welsh Guards) was clearly happy and said “We have made a very good start. To win for a sixth year in our Centenary will be a memory that lasts for ever. I would like to pay tribute to a tough and talented bunch of players who have trained very hard for this moment, but, the aim is now to move forward. I am sure we can put another layer of icing on a very tasty cake”. Where to go next—well that’s Australia and New Zealand where they will receive all sorts of warm welcomes. |
 Andy Price - Head Coach |
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Royal Navy 15 Mne Rob LLoyd - PJHQ14 Ch Josh Drauniniu - HMS Bulwark 13 Mne Carl Saunders - CDO Logs Regt 12 Cpl Greg Barden - RM Poole 11 AET Andrew Vance - RNAS Yeovilton 10 AB Jamie Caruana - HMS Monmouth § ± 9 LAET Dave Pascoe (Team Captain) - RFANSU 1 NA(AH) Kyle Mason - RNAS Culdrose § 2 NA(AH) Ben Priddey - RNAS Culdrose 3 LAET Dan Parkes - RNAS Yeovilton 4 CPO Jess Owens - HMS Bulwark 5 LAET Marsh Cormack - RNAS Yeovilton 6 LAET Justin Doney - RNAS Culdrose 7 Capt Will Pilkington RM - JSU Northwood 8 Mne Gareth Evans - CTCRM 16 CPOWEA Simon Burns - HMS Brocklesby 17 Mid Adam Dean - DNR 18 Capt Matt Parker RM - 42 CDO RM 19 Lt Will Jerrold - 539 AS RM 20 LWEA Wayne John - HMS Bulwark 21 SA Silivenusi Buinimasi - HMS Cumberland 22 SA Manoa Satala - RAF Cottesmore Cdr Mark Deller RN - Selector/Head Coach CSgt Martyn Woolorton - Forwards Coach CPO Dave Sibson - Backs Coach LPT Paul 'Spud' Murphy - Conditioning Coach WO1 Sid Cole - Team Manager CPOPT Dusty Miller - Team Manager Lt Cdr Fraser Brimms - Team Doctor Miss Lynsey Colquhoun - Physiotherapist Mrs Philippa Gibbs - Physiotherapist Mascots: Thomas James Wooltorton (9) and Euan Bushell (11) |
Army 15 Sgt Mal Roberts (Team Captain) - RLC *14 Spr Ben Seru - RE 13 Spr Peceli Nacamavuto - RE 12 Pte Aplosi Satala - Royal Scots § ± 11 LCpl Malakai Magnus - RLC 10 GDSM Rob Sweeney - Welsh Guards 9 Capt James Gill - AMS 1 Sgt Steve Trethewey - REME 2 LCpl Georgie Kemble - Royal Welsh 3 LCpl Chris Budgen - Royal Welsh 4 Cpl Ben Hughes - RE 5 Cpl Darrell Ball - RE 6 Hldr Isoa Damudamu - Royal Scots ± 7 Lt Mark Lee - Royal Scots ± 8 Cpl Ledua Jope - AGC ± 16 Capt Robin Scothern - Yorks 17 LCpl Melvyn Lewis - Welsh Guards 18 Lt Robert Sugden - Coldstream Guards 19 Pte Taniela Delaitamana - Royal Welsh 20 Bdr Gareth Slade-Jones - RA 21 Spr Gerhard Wessels - RE 22 Sgt Andy Evans - RLC W02 Andy Price - Head Coach Sgt Sean Fanning - Defence Coach WO2 Lee Douglas - Backs Coach Sgt Gareth Thomas - Fitness & Conditioning Coach WO2 Conrad Price - Analyst Maj 'JJ' Jeffrey - Seanior XV Manager WO2 Byron Cordy - Assistant Manager Sgt Darren Percy - Assistant Manager Lt Col Gareth Thomas - Senior Physiotherapist Maj Andy Neaves - Physiotherapist Maj Rhodri Phillip - Team Doctor Ann-Marie Birmingham - Sports Massage Therapist Mascots: Jack Panter (8) and Daniel Holland (7) |
§ Denotes International; ± Denotes International (Sevens); * Denotes Barbarian Referee: Martin Fox | |
Other Army team scores:
- Army Women (36) v Navy (3) - Making the Women's Team Inter-Services Champions for the 5th successive year. They have been Champions every year since the competition started in 2003. To date they have not been defeated in the championships by either a Royal Navy or Royal Air Force women's team - Read Report.
- Army Veterans (53) v Ancient Mariners (0) - the Inter-Service Vets Championship 2007 was won by the Army - Read Report.
- Combined Services U23 (6) v England Universities (37)
More match reports at www.armynavymatch.org.uk
Head Coach's Army Navy Day Pictures
A spectator's (Lt Col NA Jordan RE) Army Navy Day Pictures
BFBS Sports News at www.ssvc.com/bfbs/tv/sport/index.htm (click through to Results)
Read the pre-match press release on RNRU website
Posted: 8 May 07
Army lift Babcock Trophy at Twickenham
Report by RFU Press Office
The Army retained The Babcock Trophy for the sixth year running at Twickenham this afternoon (5 May 07) in one of the best games seen at RFU Headquarters between the sides during that time.
The teams were locked 25-25 following Navy skipper Dave Pascoe’s third penalty three minutes into the second half but it proved to be their final points of the match as tiredness and the Army’s superiority in the tight took it’s toll.
Four minutes later Fijian wing Ben Seru followed three of his fellow countryman by touching down the Army’s fourth try to put them 32-25 ahead and there was no further score until injury time when prop Steve Trethewey was driven over and fly half Rob Sweeney kicked his fourth conversion.
Army coach Andy Price summed up: “It was a real cliff-hanger and a great experience for everyone. We bumbled a few chances and are disappointed with that but overall we are very pleased. You must remember at the end of the day we are all soldiers or sailors first and I was very pleased with that level of performance.”
The Army blasted out of the blocks in front of the 41,730 strong crowd scoring after just 73 seconds following Seru’s storming break and some fine work from centre Peceli Nacamavuto scything through the Navy midfield and brushing aside the tackles to touchdown.
Sweeney converted but within minutes the Navy had also opened their account when fly half Jamie Caruana was late tackled and Pascoe kicked the first of his penalties.
And they then went in front for the first time on 14 minutes when left wing Andrew Vance latched on to Caruana’s superbly weighted cross kick.
But, it was short lived as the Army hit back and a blistering run from left wing Malakai Magnus saw him race in under the posts for Sweeney to convert.
Undaunted, despite struggling in the tight, the Navy again went in front with a mesmeric piece of running from within in his own half from wing Josh Drauniniu from which Pascoe sent full back Mal Roberts sprinting over before adding the extras.
But a Sweeney penalty had the Army back in front, 17-15, only for Pascoe to kick his second, minutes later, at the other end to once again give the Navy the ascendancy, 18-17.
Then came a real blow for the Navy as the Army pounded their line and from a well constructed move flanker Isoa Damudamu appeared on the wing and although tackled had enough momentum to carry him the extra yard and then stretch out and touchdown.
The video evidence, however, showed he had put a foot into touch at the tackle.
The try went unconverted and the Army led 25-18 at half time.
Although the Navy hit back minutes after the restart when Drauniniu intercepted lock Darrell Ball’s pass out in his own 22 and sprinted the length of the pitch for the touchdown they were never quite able to rise to the efforts of the first half.
A charged down kick in their own 22 metre area presented a try just four minutes later for Seru and the Army were able to keep a clean slate for the remainder of the match before capping it all with Trethewey’s five pointer.
Losing skipper Dave Pascoe commented: “We just didn’t have the platform to play off today and we are very disappointed.”
The Babcock Trophy Man of the Match was awarded to Army centre Peceli Nacamavuto for his storming work in midfield.
Posted: 8 May 07
 Mal Roberts - Army v RAF 2007 |
 Ledua Jope - Army v RAF 2007 |
The RAF had their moments but too frequently entered the defensive cul-de sac and were forced to kick. Roberts, fielding well in the not very bright lights, turned defence into attack, Nacamavuto ran cleverly in support and one of the back row was inevitably on hand to set up an attacking ruck. All good stuff appreciated by an enthusiastic crowd. | |
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At the final count the Army tries were scored by Damudamu (2), Jope (2) Nacamavuto, Magnus, Trethewey and Roberts, almost equal between forwards and backs which sums up a balanced night's work. Coach Andy Price (Welsh Guards) told the web "the team went through the gears with a fair amount of style and, in bursts, hit a new level. The new caps were given a chance and did particularly well but we all have work to do". Twickenham beckons. The Army knows the Royal Navy will be a different kettle of fish. Their big men will test the Army's defences like no time in the last ten years. Can't wait until 5th May. |
Malkai Magnus - Army v RAF - 2007 |
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Coaching Staff |
Army (0) v Barbarians (14) (half-time: 0-7) |
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Two tries settle an exciting matchThe following report is from www.barbarianfc.co.uk
After a shaky start there was no shortage of possession from a well-organised lineout and the longer the game went on the more that Argentinian World Cup star Gonzalo Quesada was able to display his silky skills at fly-half. Outside him Baa-Baas ‘old boy’ Kevin Maggs and debutant Matt Cornwell combined well and, as always, Neil Halleett was ever ready to attack from full-back. In the pack Tom Johnson continued the good impression he made in the Mobbs Match a month earlier and Luke Sherriff, last seen in Barbarian colours at the Melrose Sevens in 2001, was a real livewire at number 8. The only score of the first-half came in the 25th minute when a clever diagonal punt by Quesada to the right touchline stretched the Army’s otherwise watertight defence and, aided by a wicked bounce, Cornwell and Adam Thompstone combined for the Harlequin wing to finish off the move by beating the cover tacklers. Quesada converted immaculately. The Army, with Fijian centre Peceli Nacamavuto proving to be real attacking threat, came close to scoring on several occasions, but were denied on one occasion by a final forward pass and on a second by a remarkable cover tackle by Johnson. In the second half, the Baa-Baas doubled their narrow lead when another lineout was executed in text-book fashion and from the driving maul George Robson claimed the touchdown near the posts and Quesada easily converted. Though there was no further scoring in the final half-hour the thrills continued. As Baa-Baas coach Zinzan Brooke commented afterwards, “Both teams deserve credit for producing such a keenly contested match. What impressed me about the Army was that they could easily have lost heart after conceding the second try, but there was never any question of that happening. They kept going right up to the final whistle - and our own boys deserve a pat on the back for keeping their shape in defence as well as attack.” Army : M Roberts, captain; M Magnus, P Nacamavuto,
A Satala, B Seru; B Bragg, J Gill; S Trethewey, B Hankinson, C Johnston,
B Hughes, R Sugden, D Ball, L Jope, M Lee Referee: Rob Debney (RFU) Posted: 6 Apr 07 | |
Converted
tries either side of half-time were enough to see the Barbarians
through in a lively centenary match at the Stoop. The low scoring
failed to reflect the entertainment on view as both sides celebrated
one hundred years of Army rugby in appropriate fashion. Joe
Roff led the Barbarians in the best traditions of the Club,
impressively encouraging his younger team-mates while also benefiting
from the several experienced hands around him.
 Nacamavuto side steps the Esher defence |
Maybe the pick of the night's rugby came with a powerful punch down the centre from the 10m line to within a few metres where Nacamavuto was half held. As the ruck thought about moving forward to contact, the eye was taken by a chunky figure scuttling at speed, outflanking the pack to take the ball sweetly above his head and crash through at the posts. It was hooker Ben Hankinson (RLC) who now stands accused of 'showboating' and being removed from the front row union. James Balfrey (R Welsh) converted. The final nail was driven in by the Army scrum that put the Esher eight under such pressure that it was fairly simple for an alert Gareth Slade-Jones (RA) to dispossess the defence scrum half and march over for a classic 'pressure' try. Again Balfrey added the points. |
Seven good tries against a competent side that never gave up must be taken at face value-- but it could have been more. Coach Andy Price (Welsh Guards) knows that the Barbarians and the Royal Navy will punish severely any form of 'switch-off' but he said "tonight the Army indicated the art of the probable-power rucking, the ball doing the work and electric finishing. There were some very strong performances out there, creating the right blend when the Reds take on the mighty Barbarians at the Stoop on Wed 4 April is a nice problem to have". Posted: 31 Mar 07 |
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| Oxford then got more into the game with possession and territory now in their favour. The army gave away a penalty in the shadow of their own posts (which many in the large crowd thought should have gone the other way). Roff again punished the army with an impeccable kicking display. Both sides kicked a further penalty making the halftime a competitive 20 - 11. | |
The feeling in the red camp at half time was that we had been the better side and had played all the football but in the wrong areas. Oxford were living off our unforced errors which were now well into double figures. Missed touches, poor restarts, and naive playing in the wrong areas all contributing to poor play. With the elements at their back the army started the second half in the same vein as the first, deep in the Oxford 22. After four phases from the initial scrimmage, the blues infringed and Balfrey kicked the penalty. At 20 -14 it looked as if the army would turn the game around. This was not to be! Roff kicked intelligently and although the possession was equal, Oxford played the cleverer and better wet-weather rugby and scored a further 10 unanswered points. The second half was one the army team would rather forget in terms of statistics; 8 handling errors, 5 missed kicks to touch and 8 penalties conceded in the last 15 minutes. All this contributed to a disappointing night. Positive point's from the coaching staff's perspective is that 13 uncapped players played a part in a fierce game and the competition for places is certainly evident for all to see! It was an improvement on the Cambridge game (even if that was a victory). The ‘March to Twickenham’ is certainly gaining pace! |
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The 'Reds' are on the march again!Reporter - Andy Price - Senior XV Head Coach The 'Reds' began their 'March to Twickenham' for our centenary year last December when the coaching staff held a training camp for over 55 players, all of whom were hoping to make our final 28 man senior squad. | |
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The chosen squad will not only take on the RAF at home and the Navy at Twickenham, but will celebrate our centenary by playing an Oxbridge side, and The Barbarians before leaving these shores to tour Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, where they will play other service teams downunder. We decided that our training days before Christmas would take the form of trial matches, so that all players would have game time in front of the selectors. The two trials were a really high standard. Some players not seen before at this level impressed and caught the eye. Capt Ben Hankinson DLSS Deepcut, LCpl Maccu Koroiyadi 33 Fd Hospital (who captained Fiji at the Under 19 World Cup) and Spr Ben Suru 38 Engr Regt were amongst those who stood out. The squad was trimmed to 42 after the trials, causing us real headaches in the process. |
Route Map to Twickenham 15 Jan 07 Army Veterans Aldershot 1830 hrs |
| The 15th of January was the senior squad's annual fixture against the Army Veterans XV. I selected a 22 man squad to face a challenging Veterans team, who are no longer old men having fun! But, who are a good group of players, all looking to gain selection for their Inter-Service challenge. All of the Senior 22 were fighting for a position in the squad. In a fast and aggressive game, again some newly discovered talent put pressure on some established players for a slot in the squad. Lt Gareth Libbey and Spr Gerhard Vessels both of 39 Engr Regt had good games and will be strong contenders for the 28. The senior 22 ran out comfortable winners, with LCpl Maccu Koroiyadi scoring 4 tries. Spr Ben Suru, Cpl Darrell Ball and Pte Isoa Damudamu also got on the score sheet. After the Veterans fixture the squad was further trimmed to 35. 20 players have already been selected into the 28 man Centenary Senior Squad. My congratulations to them all. The maths therefore is simple. There are 15 players fighting for the remaining 8 slots. All of these players will have game time against Cambridge University Blues in Aldershot on the 31st January. After that game I will announce the 28 man squad here. Some established Army Senior Squad players will unfortunately miss out this year. Some due to injury, Capt Ed Smith and LCpl Sitiveni Rabuli are two awaiting surgery, we wish them well. Others will miss out due to Operations abroad, LCpl Joe Kava and Cpl Andrew Parkinson are two of many. The whole squad and management team wish you all well and we look forward to your safe return. The players not selected in the senior squad, will play for the Army 2nd team. All of these players will continue to be monitored for improvement and could well move up to the 28. The door is never closed. If you are a player or administrator in Army Rugby and you are or know of a player who you feel is of the standard of senior Army rugby. Then please get in touch. Elite rugby is not exclusive rugby. Everyone will be considered. Contact me by e mail: andyprice80@btopenworld.com or mobile: 07811 400665. Check out the new Army Navy Match web site at www.armynavymatch.org.uk Posted: 22 Jan 07 The 'Reds' need a mascotMascot wanted to lead the Army XV out onto the pitch at Twickenham before the clash against the Navy on 5 May 2007 - Application Form (pdf 46kb) Closing date: 28 February 2007 Posted: 18 Jan 07 |