British Army (Germany) Rugby (10) v
British Army "A" XV (27)
Tuesday 24 Feb 09 - Aldershot
The return fixture between BA (G) and the Army "A"
team took place in Aldershot on Tuesday 24 February
2009. The game was planned for an evening kick-off and
the conditions on the evening were perfect for an open
fast game. It was the Army "A" side who struck first
with a penalty on the 6 minute point, from the re-start
BA (G) were on the offensive with some big ball carriers
by team captain SSgt Bully Bull (2
CS Bn REME) and LBdr Epa Naulumatua
(26 Regt RA) gave BA (G) good field position. Pressure
on the Army "A" side was growing and BA (G) finally
crossed the line on the 15 minute point, LCpl Jim
Tuitubou (SCOTS DG) the try scoring recipient,
the try was converted by Capt Will Gough
(AMS) making the score 7 points to 3. |
| The remaining time in the first half
saw the ball change sides frequently, neither team showed
any give and both team defences was holding tight. On
the 30 minute point the Army "A" struck, this time slack
defence at the back of a scrum allowed their number
8 to make a break into midfield, pass to his scrum half
who scored under the posts, the try was converted making
the score 10 - 7. Shortly before the half time BA (G)
were constantly threatening the oppositions try line,
finally after repeated infringements by the Army "A"
the referee awarded a penalty to BA (G) in front of
the posts. Capt Will Gough kicked the
penalty making the score 10 points all at half time.
The half time talk from the BA (G) Head Coach wasn’t
for the faint hearted. He explained what needed to happen
in the second half if BA (G) were to be victorious this
time round and reiterated how many missed opportunities
had gone in the first half. With new tactics the skipper
rallied his side and took to the field.
The game continued to be played at a fast explosive
pace, unfortunately due to poor handling skills and
the last pass going to ground the game became plagued
with scrum after scrum. This took its toll on the BA
(G) side and fatigue started to set in. |
BA (G) Team
1 LBdr Naulumatua – 26 Regt RA
2 Sgt Windel – 35 Engr Regt
3 SSgt Bull – 2 CS Bn REME
4 LCpl McMurry – QRH
5 Pte LagiLagi – ARRC Sp Bn
6 Cfn Noakes – 2 CS Bn REME
7 Gnr Matakibau – 26 Regt RA
8 LBdr Batikora – 26 Regt RA
9 Cpl Smart – 2 Med Regt
10 Capt Gough – AMS
11 LCpl Apimeleki – 7 Sig Regt LAD
12 Cfn Lee – 2 CS Bn REME
13 Capt Wheble – ARRC Sp Bn
14 Tpr Matacagi – SDG
15 LCpl Tuitubou – SDG
16 LCpl Brown – 628 Sig Tp
17 LCpl Paines – 2 FD Coy REME
18 Tpr Taganekurukuru – SDG
19 LCpl Ronner – 16 Sig Regt
20 Capt Gough – 9/12 Lancers
21 LCpl Hagen – 6 Regt RLC
22 Cfn Buchan – 3 RHA LAD
23 Cfn Walker – 9/12 Lancers LAD
24 Sig Tamanisau – 16 Sig Regt
|
As the second half progressed the Army "A" upped the ante and sustained pressure in the BA (G) 22m zone proved too much. With some missed tackles providing costly the "A" side crossed again the try was converted making the score 10 - 17.
From the restart BA (G) forwards drove into the mid field and set up good
strike position. LCpl Stu Hagen (6
Regt RLC LAD) exploited the blind side and crossed the
Army "A" line, unfortunately it was deemed to be a double
movement and the try was disallowed. The remainder of
the second half produced good open flowing rugby and
both teams regularly attacked. With three late on tries
by the Army "A" the game was put out of sight. The final
score BA (G) 10 - Army "A" 27.
The BA (G) side produced another good performance but missed opportunities in the first half proved to be too costly on the evening.
Man of the match: Tpr "Ice" Matacagi (SDG)
Posted: 24 Mar 09
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British Army (Germany) Rugby (10) v British Army "A"
XV (24)
Wednesday 10 Dec 08 - Aldershot
The first fixture in a number of seasons between BA (G) and the Army "A" team took place in Aldershot on Wednesday 10 December 2008. The BA (G) team travelled to England from Germany and based themselves at Pirbright. Two days preparation by the BA (G) team followed that ensured all tactics and game plans were finalised. The game started as expected "fast and furious "with bags of aggression being showed by both teams. It was the Army "A" side who struck first with a converted try on the 10 minute point, shortly followed by a penalty making the score 10 points to 0. After a quick debrief by team captain SSgt Bully Bull (2 Bn REME) behind the posts BA (G) started to get a footing in the game. With some big ball carries by LBdr Epa Naulumatua (26 Regt RA), Pte Joe Ranuku (ARRC Sp Bn, 170 SQN) the BA (G) forwards started to dominate the contact area. Pressure on the Army "A" side was growing and BA (G) threatened to cross the line on a number of occasions, only strong defence by the Army "A" team denied several scoring opportunities.
|
Finally the break through came and BA
(G) crossed the line after relentless pressure, the
try was scored by Pte Vosatokaera (ARRC
Sp Bn, 170 Sqn), the try was unconverted, the remaining
time of the first half saw play switching between two
very good disciplined sides showing that they wanted
to play open attractive rugby. Shortly before the half
time whistle, LCpl Mathew Saulailai
(SDG), crossed the Army "A" try line, again the try
was unconverted. It was only for missed opportunities
and bad decision making that the half time score was:
BA (G) 10 - Army "A" 10.
BA (G) disrupting Army "A" ball The half time talk from the coaching staff gave clear direction on how to break down the Army "A" strong defence. Unfortunately, from the restart BA (G) failed to secure and the Army "A" gained the up hand. Last ditch tackling by BA (G) prevented several scoring chances for the Army "A" side. It was midway into the second half before the next score came, again it was the Army "A" side who crossed the BA (G) line, the try was converted making the score 17 points to 10.
|
BA (G) Team
1 LBdr Naulumatua – 26 Regt RA
2 SSgt Bull – 2 CS Bn REME
3 Pte Vosatokaera – ARRC Sp Bn
4 LCpl Liam Butterworth – ARRC Sp Bn
5 Pte LagiLagi – ARRC Sp Bn
6 Pte Ranuku – ARRC Sp Bn
7 LCpl Llewellyn – 2 CS Bn REME
8 LBdr Batikora – 26 Regt RA
9 LCpl Hagen – 6 Sup Regt
10 LCpl Young – 7 Sig Regt
11 LBdr Waqavuki – 26 Regt RA
12 Cfn Lee – 2 CS Bn REME
13 LCpl Saulailai - SDG
14 LCpl Komaiyasa – 1 Med Regt
15 Lt Wattam – 1 Med Regt
16 LCpl Brown – 628 Sig Tp
17 LCpl Oates – 1 ADSR
18 Sgt Church – 32 Engr Regt
19 Spr Duffield – 35 Engr Regt
20 LCpl McMurry - QRH
21 LCpl Bulivou – 6 Sup Regt
22 Gnr Saqanavere – 26 Regt RA
23 Pte Rokomaqisa – ARRC Sp Bn
24 Tpr Matacagi - SDG
25 Pte Ladiniwasa – ARRC Sp Bn
|
Some excellent work from the BA (G) forwards
after the restart saw another change in the flow of
play. LCpl Liam Butterworth (ARRC Sp
Bn LAD) and Pte LagiLagi (ARRC Sp Bn
170 SQN) who had been extremely dominant in the lineout
stole possession from Army “A” at a lineout
deep in their half. From here scrumhalf LCpl Stu
Hagen (6 Sup Regt RLC LAD) released the ball
to the back line who attacked out wide. Their efforts
were denied in the corner by a last ditch cover tackle
by the Army “A”. As the game progressed
fatigue started to set in amongst the BA (G) players
and it was clear that the game was out of our grasp.
With the clock ticking down the Army “A”
crossed the BA (G) line again and as the try was converted
the referee blew the final whistle making the score
BA (G) 10 – Army “A” 24.
With some excellent performances by the BA (G) players
notably SSgt Bully Bull, LBdr Epa
Naulumatua, Pte Joe Ranuku,
LCpl Liam Butterworth and Man of the
Match LCpl Mathew Saulailai (SDG),
the BA (G) coaching staff were content with the development
the side had made after a long lay off. Senior Army
Head Coach WO2 Andy Price spoke to
the BA (G) players after the game and congratulated
them for travelling to the UK and playing excellent
rugby. From the match three BA (G) players were asked
to return to the UK in the New Year to play for the
Army “A” side where the Head Coach will
look at them again. Two BA (G) players have been selected
in his provisional senior squad. BA (G) are now planning
for fixtures in the New Year against Belgium, Luxemburg,
Denmark and a return fixture against the Army “A”.
British Army (Germany) Rugby Team - Dec 2008
BA (G) personnel wishing to represent BA (G) rugby
should contact either the Head Coach WO2 Phil
Davies on 0177 4560032 or the Team Manager
WO1 Baggy Brown on 0173 8056723, giving
personal details, the current side they represent and
the level at which they have played (Representative).
There are several training days planned in the New Year
and potential players will get an opportunity to be
seen by the coaching staff. BA (G) rugby is firmly back
and it is now up to you to come and get seen.
Man of the match: LCpl Mathew Saulailai (SDG)
Posted 15 Jan 09
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