The Palestine Cup competition has been played annually between the REME and RAOC (now part of the RLC) for decades and it is always a fiercely fought fixture that sits outside the normal VT Defence Corps competition. Deepcut was the venue for this year's event and the teams appreciated the sunny yet cool and dry winter conditions.

Both sides came out of the blocks with blinding pace showing they were both out to win the coveted Palestine Cup. After a fairly chaotic but evenly matched start where both sides gave away penalties for needless misdemeanours, it was the RLC who broke the REME try line first in the 5th minute. However, the try was disallowed by the Referee (Wing Commander Andy Rolfe) due to a knock on as the ball was grounded. The RLC did not have to wait long for another opportunity to strike when they gained a free kick for too many REME players in the line out. The ensuing tightly controlled maul saw the RLC drive over the REME line and take the first points 10 minutes into the game. The try was unconverted, 5 - 0.

In response, the REME's back row stepped up a gear and made life more difficult for the RLC backs - the pressure finally spilled out by the RLC conceding a penalty, which was kicked to touch for a line out close to the RLC try line. The ensuing line out turned into a REME controlled maul, but a follow on scrum to REME was judged illegal by the Referee and the RLC was let off the hook with a well aimed clearance free kick awarded for pulling down in the ruck.

REME taking route 1 option

Unrelenting, the REME returned to the opposition's half in the 20th minute with a domineering maul which produced an overlap that REME exploited with a try scored by winger Cpl Phil Kotze close to the RLC posts, which was converted by Capt Paul Tolhurst, 5-7. The RLC responded soon afterwards with an unsuccessful shot at goal from a penalty awarded for REME hands in a ruck. The 35th minute saw REME punish a RLC offence by kicking the resulting penalty for a line out close to the RLC try line. REME once again dominated the maul and drove the RLC pack over the line and secured 5 points with a try LCpl Tom Masinwini which was unconverted. The score was a close 5-12 at half time.

The second half got off to a competitive start and it was REME who felt the pressure first by conceding a penalty for offside at a ruck that was turned into 3 points by the RLC, 8-12. On a high, and less than a minute later, the RLC retained the advantage and took the lead by scoring a try off an unforced spilled ball by REME and went on to easily convert, 15-12. REME's response to losing the lead was immediate and Capt Paul Tolhurst sent a thunderous penalty kick deep into the RLC's 22 which produced a line close to the try line. However, the REME was foiled by the RLC pack when they stole the ball with an excellent lift in the middle of the line out. Minutes later the RLC redeemed itself once more after giving away an unnecessary penalty by stealing more line out ball close to the try line. But the RLC's luck ran out in the 48th minute when yet another penalty was kicked deep into the RLC 22 and the REME pack could not be stopped when they formed a maul from the line out and SSgt Trevor (Monster) Howard scored a typical front row try from the base of the maul. The try was unconverted, 15-17.

REME defending against a strong RLC Line Out.

The 65th minute saw the REME 's driving maul cause the RLC pack to concede another penalty close to their goals posts which was easily kicked by Capt Paul Tolhurst, 15-20. REME dominated for much of the second half with some awesome forward play, but the RLC always looked dangerous by exploiting every opportunity to counter attack. REME missed another penalty awarded for pulling down in the maul at the 70 minute point. Moments later, it was poor discipline by REME that led to a yellow carding on REME's 5 meter line and the following penalty resulted in an unconverted try for the RLC, 20-20. The game was bravely played by both teams and the cup was rightly awarded to the RLC because, like every challenge cup, you have to win to take it from the holders. Better luck next year REME!