Combined Services Reports
Season 2008-2009

Early fireworks at the Annual Remembrance Fixture

Reporter: Wing Commander Alex Jones CSRFU

On the 4 November 08, the Barbarians and Combined Services (the best of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) played out a hard fought and entertaining game in the Annual Remembrance Fixture. Commitment and attitude are a given for the Servicemen, several of whom have spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan this year. A given too for any player who feels the responsibility of wearing a Barbarian shirt. However, in this year's game, the players focused more on evasion skills, counter attack and support for the ball carrier. The sizeable crowd enjoyed an open, running match played at Plymouth Albion's Brickfield ground on a dry, fine evening. The Barbarians eventually ran out 33-14 victors but like the other games between these teams over the past decade, the result was hard to predict until deep in to the final quarter of the game.

Led by the band of the Royal Marines Plymouth, the Remembrance ceremony before kick off was poignant and in stark contrast to the explosive opening 20 minutes of the game. After 5 minutes and following some neat play down the blindside, Portuguese International, Vasco Uva, scored in the corner. Rhys Jones, who had an impressive debut for the Barbarian Club, converted. Soon after, the Royal Navy combination of wing Drauninui and fly half Rhodes then exchanged several passes in the tramlines before the No 10 touched down. Pascoe, the Combined Services scrum half and captain, added the conversion. Less than 3 minutes later, the Services faltered trying to play out of defence and McAtee wasted no time in plucking up the loose ball and somehow finding a route through several Service players for a fine individual score near the posts. Jones’ conversion took the Barbarians in to a 14-7 lead.

The game then entered a more cautious phase as both teams tried to build some continuity through possession. The Barbarians played in their famous black and white hoops and the Serviceman played in plain white shirts except for a 60 second comedy moment when Pascoe, went ‘covert in his all-black vest having been stripped of his playing shirt in a ruck. The crowd loved it, Pascoe ignored it and the game went on. From a breakdown in midfield a few minutes later the Services scored their next try when the blind side wing, Drauninui, went looking for action and beat 3 defenders – there is no substitute for pace. Pascoe did the honours with a conversion and at 14-14 all, the even contest resumed.

Budgen and the Service back row of Tibbatts, Kava and Lee drove like warriors at their opponents. The Barbarians had their own ball carriers the best at this time being Windo and the Plymouth Albion back rowers Thomas and Marriot. When Combined Services found themselves on their own line practicing scramble defence, only the boot of unflappable full back Roberts brought relief. Just before half time Rhys Jones had to be replaced due to injury; looking disappointed as left half way through his debut, his attacking and balanced performance will also have caught the Barbarian selectors’ eye.

The Barbarians opened the second half varying handling moves with 2 deft kicks from replacement fly half Davies. Seven minutes in to the half they squandered a 2-man overlap on the right albeit the cover tackle from Drauninui was superb. Ball and Koryaidi joined the fray for the Services with Kava and the Cormack taking a well earned rest. The Services then tried to pick up the pace and in a 10 minute burst set up a string of quick ruck ball. Ironically, we saw a change in the Barbarian traditional tactics as, due to the new ELVs, their back 3 were forced to gain field position by clever kicking. A rumble over the Services line was held up and then a grubber kick aimed at the base of a post brought nought for the Barbarians; time for fresh legs from Bolt and debutants Ritchie and Arthur Brenton. Play broke up again and when Davies saw space behind the Services left wing, he kicked for the speedy Flockhart to gather and score. Davies' conversion took the score to 21-14 to the Barbarians.

The Services brought Vance, Scothern and Douglas off the bench and immediately enjoyed several raids in to the Barbarians half. Hard won possession and territory was unfortunately lost when, twice, the final pass went astray - strange to talk of the Services lacking precision but it was the fact. In contrast the Barbarian, Mateus, remained sure that a straight line was precisely the quickest route to the Service line. His direct play kept checking the Services' drift before he acted as decoy for Chris Czekaj's entry in to the midfield off quick line out ball. The Wales International sliced through the Services' midfield and glided past the last man for a quite superb try - he has clearly recovered his form after serious injury some time ago. Davies added the 2 points and at 28-14 with less than 5 minutes to go, the game looked over. In fact, in injury time, Flockhart bagged his second try and with the difficult conversion drifting wide, referee Rob Debney brought the game to a close.

The Barbarians won 33-14 but there were winners all round. Drauninui took the man of the match; the crowd had seen 7 tries; and, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal received a total of £15000 from the Combined Services, Barbarian FC and the hosts, Plymouth Albion RFC.

Barbarians: Dougie Flockhart (Scotland A and Esher), Rhodri McAtee (Cornish Pirates) rep by Wihan Neethling (Albion) 40), Tal Selley (Wales and Newport-Gwent Dragons), Diogo Mateus (Belenenses), Chris Czekaj (Wales and Cardiff Blues), Rhys Jones (Cornish Pirates) rep by Mark Davies (Lydney) 38), Will Runciman (Worcester) rep by Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs) 58), Tony Windo (Worcester) rep by Brett Sturgess (Exeter Chiefs) 38), Joao Correia (portugal and GD Dirieto) rep by Chris Ritchie (Rosslyn Park) 58), Ryan Hopkins (Albion), Matt Hocken Belgium and Brussels Barbarians, rep by Arthur Brenton (Albion 58), Chris Gittens (Aberavon), Vasco Uva (Portugal and GD Dirieto), Danny Thomas (Albion, capt), Kyle Marriott (Albion) rep by Jamie Miller (Coventry) 52).

Combined Services: Mal Roberts (Army), Apolosi Satala (Fiji and Army), Mat Gittens (Army) rep by Stuart Douglas (Army) 71), Andy Evans (Army) rep by David Birkby (RAF) 76), Josh Drauniniu (Navy) rep by Andy Vance (Navy) 70), Matt Rhodes (Navy), Dave Pascoe (Navy, captain), Melvyn Lewis (Army) rep by Robin Scothern (Army) 70), Matthew Dwyer (Army) rep by Leonard (RAF) 65), Chris Budgen (Army), Ben Hughes (Army), Marshall Cormack (Navy) (rep by Darrell Ball (Army) 52), Andrew Tibbatts (RAF), Mark Lee (Scotland 7s and Army), Joe Kava (Army) rep by Makulusio Koroiyadi (Army) 52). Rep (not used): James Gill (Navy).

Scorers:
Barbarians: Tries: Uva, McAtee, Flockhart (2), Czekaj. Cons: Jones (2), Davies (2).
Combined Services: Tries: Rhodes, Drauniniu. Cons: Pascoe (2).

Referee: Rob Debney (RFU).

Posted: 24 Nov 08

In the back row Army skipper Mark Lee (ALS) was having one of his best games in a Services shirt and should certainly have been a candidate for Man of the Match. Joe Kava (RLC) was effective at No8 with thumping runs from set pieces to set up attacking platforms.

In the final quarter when there could have been a hint of stalemate both sides prospered on the back of bold decisions and quick hands. In a territorially even game the Baa-Baas positioned themselves to fire a couple of silver bullets. Welsh international wing Chris Czekej (Cardiff Blues) who has recently returned from serious injury ran a precision curving arc from 50m to score way out.

At 21pts-14 adrift, and mindful that in 2007 the match was won with the last pass, the Services responded with all out attack. Drauninui ran powerfully only for the move to break down metres from the line. Maccu Koroiyadi (RE) launched into the Baa-Baas to set strong attacking positions but all too frequently lacked the close support that would have got him to the line.

It certainly provided the elbow benders with food for thought on what might have happened if… Certainly the Services’ 10 / 11 channel was stodgy to the point that likely match winners Apo Satala (R Scots) and Josh Drauninui had to go looking for the ball. Maybe the Services pack which thundered right up to the final whistle should have stuffed it up the jumper in the third quarter to neuter the Baa-Baas backs.

But, whatever the verdict, those who proudly wore the Royal British Legion Poppy gave a good account of themselves. Suggestions coming from the advantage of a touchline stand will have to wait for another year when it will be the Army’s turn to host this fabulous game of rugby.

Former England international and Barbarians' President Micky Steele-Bodger said:

"The Remembrance Day Match is now established as an important part of the Baa-Baas fixture calendar. It is a very special occasion for all of us as we appreciate the sacrifices being made by all our Armed Forces and it is very poignant to realise that every year there are players in the Services team who only a few weeks earlier were on active service elsewhere in the World."

Posted: 13 Nov 08