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| Revised on: Monday, 19 March, 2007 | |
Veterans in Dubai
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26 Nov 06: On a wet dreary day in Aldershot the Army Veterans Rugby Team met up to carry out some last minute training prior to flying out to compete in the Dubai International Tens competition. Little did we know that we were actually being acclimatized for what was going to be the wettest week in Dubai's history… Army Veterans (5) v Spoons AAs (25) | |
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The first game kicked off at 0900hrs against Spoons AAs, a combination of the Wooden Spoons and the Anti-Assassins. Knowing that the team consisted of the majority of last year's winners we knew it would be a tough game; and from the kick off they didn't disappoint, scoring within two minutes and converting to make it 7-0. Still wiping the sleep from our eyes the Spoons attacked again and the score was 14-0. After the second score the team started to get their act together and started to probe the opposition's half, falling short at the last hurdle. Such was our performance that the spoons chose to kick a penalty before half time 17-0. The second half started with a bit more intensity with SSgt Andy Smith scoring our first points to bring the score to 17-5. Regrettably the conversion was missed by WO2 Mark Botten. Again the Spoons were awarded a penalty, which they kicked taking the score to 20-5. The game ended with one final try to the Spoons and one much dented team's pride. Losing 25-5 we knew that we had to win our next two games to stand any chance of making the main competition. |
The Team consisted: Lt Col Steve Pyle AGC (SPS) |
Army Veterans (38) v Kowloon Bedouins (0)Kowloon was by far the weakest team in our league, losing 50-0 to Total Lions we knew it would be a much easier game than our last. And so it proved. Capt Pete Lockitt scoring within the first minute following a dummy and simple off-load from LCpl Tom Tom Turagebeci. WO2 Mark Botten kicking the conversion 7-0. Soon after LCpl Tom Tom Turagebecci scored a well worked try, conversion missed. This was followed by a great solo try under the posts by Pte Dan Ratu, converted by WO2 Mark Botten. Not wishing to be out done LCpl Tom Tom Turagebecci scored a second try and the game was slowly turning into the Tom and Dan show. Ratu took over the kicking duties but failed to convert leaving the score at 24-0 at half time. A number of changes were made at half time but this did not detract from the side's strong performance. SSgt Andy Smith scoring another try (29-0), converted by Capt Pete Lockitt (31-0). The final try came from SSgt Andy Smith who kicked and chased a loose ball over the opposition's line only to fall on it to claim the extra points. Confidence brimming, he converted his own try to save the embarrassment of his fellow RLC colleagues from missing yet another kick (38-0). A surprise win 5-0 by the Total Lions against the Wooden Spoons meant that our final pool game was key. We had to beat them by at least 13 points. Army Veterans (19) v Total Lions (0)
The second half started with as much intensity as the first. Total Lions obviously receiving a similar half time talk as ourselves came out with a renewed vigour and we knew it was going to be difficult to achieve those vital extra points. With play switching from left to right it took a decisive run from Sgt Stevie Emm to break their defence and score a much needed try in the corner (12-0). Conversion missed, the clock was ticking away and the Army was in need of one more point to secure their quarter final place. A nervous few minutes passed until, seconds remaining the Army were awarded a penalty. Sharp thinking by Lt Col Steve Pyle, taking a quick penalty and then passing the ball out to LCpl Tom Tom Turagebecci allowing him to jig his way through the French defence and score on the right. WO2 Mark Botten converting the try 19-0. With the whistle blown a tense five minutes ensued while the team waited for final confirmation....... We had done it, we were in the quarter finals against the Bahrain Warblers! Army Veterans (0) v The Bahrain Warblers (12)We knew the Bahrain Warblers would be a stern test for us - any invitation side made up of ex-internationals from the Southern Hemisphere was always going to be... The game started quickly with both sides probing their opposition's half. Intense tackling, a few off the ball incidents and a couple of refereeing decisions against us enabled the Warblers to secure the first score (5-0). Not wanting to be outdone the Army regrouped and came straight back at the Warblers - unfortunately stopping just short of the line. SSgt Andy Smith making ground whenever he had the ball in hand but alas those final vital yards evaded the Army. Half time came and passed. The game was there for the taking but the Warblers were more street wise. Maj Andy Rapley counted eleven Warblers playing against the Army but despite his protests the officials allowed the Warblers to continue. Another converted score down (12-0) the game was quickly disappearing from the Army's grasp. Indeed two minutes later the final whistle was blown. Disappointed and rather dejected the Army left the field with the only consolation being that they were beaten by the eventual winners. Our heartfelt thanks to Ross Hyslop of Enterprise plc for his generous sponsorship making the Tour possible; the Army Sports Lottery for their financial support; Maj Andy Rapley REME for organising the tour; Commanding Officers' for releasing their players and finally, on behalf of the Management to all of the players. In particular to SSgt Andy Smith who was awarded the Army's Man of the Tournament. Roll on the Inter Services. Read the Army Vets article on the Dubai Tens at www.dbiconsulting.co.uk Read more about The Wooden Spoon, the rugby's charity supporting mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people at www.woodenspoon.com | |
The
Army went into their final pool game full of confidence and knowing
that it was a must win game. From the start the Army attacked, pressing
the Lions deep in their own half. Tackle after tackle the Army demonstrating
the style of rugby they knew they were capable of. Such was the
intensity that the Lions were forced into making errors. One such
error, a misplaced kick leading to a try under the posts by Capt
Pete Lockitt (5-0) which was converted by WO2 Mark
Botten 7-0. Half time, some coaching words of wisdom and
a few choice replacements the Army were ready to resume their attack.