Babcock Inter Services Rugby League Challenge 2009 Round 3 - Royal Navy v Army

Whilst the baking hot conditions throughout the day may have cooled the atmosphere was hotting up as, what in effect was, the deciding match of the series kicked off. A good crowd bolstered by WO Phil Drewball's 'Barmy Army'of Phase 2 Trainees from HMS Sultan were in good spirits ready to be entertained and whilst the game was not destined to be a try fest it was a match of massive effort from both teams full of incident and great play especially from the respective defences. As with so many of the previous clashes between the two sides the scoreboard remained blank for the first quarter as both teams struggled to gain the upper hand. The first major talking point was a potential try for the RN, Atu Vuniwaqa making his debut in the full IS team latched onto an inside pass in his own half slipped the defence and won the 60mtr foot race to the try line however after a discussion with his touch judge Super League Ref Thierry Alibert denied the Brothers the score ruling the last pass was forward. A thoroughly disappointed RN team lost their shape a little after this allowing the Army to gain the upper hand giving a way a couple of penalty’s as a result. The first score of the match was as a result of such a penalty Army full-back Ceri Cummings slotting over the two pointer. Parity was restored barely five minutes later when stand off Dane Smallbone responded with a well struck penalty bringing the scores even once more. More hard work by both sides kept the crowd on their toes without any reward until the 30th minute when the Army scored their first try when left wing Harries crossed to put the soldiers ahead once again, Cummings was wide with the conversion so the score remained 2:6. Mr Aliberts half-time whistle came as great relief to both sides that were desperate for a break after a massive effort in the first half.

All too quickly the players were called back to rejoin battle once more with more than a few showing signs of emergency patch up treatment during the break. Predictably the second half started where the first had left off with the big hits going in all round as the teams battled for supremacy. The second half deadlock was broken after 11 minutes in the RN favour, some great work out to the left was rewarded as Wilson Tulakepa squeezed in to bring the scores level yet again, a missed conversion ensuring the scores remained tied. As so often happens the team that concedes comes out even stronger after the restart and this match was no exception, great defence by the RN forced the Army out wide but still they managed to break the line to make the score 6-10, uncharacteristically Cummings was off target again with the conversion. A further eleven minutes passed before the RN found a way through the Army defence, this time hard work out on the right was enough for another RN IS debutant, Ben Taylor to squeeze over in the corner, again the try was not converted, so wit 12 minutes left and after so much effort the teams were all square again. As the clock ran down the Brothers had the best of the possession and after a good set of plays on the last tackle skipper spun the ball back and watched as the ball flew back over his head from the boot of Dane Smallbone to score a massive one pointer. The game was not over however with the Army coming so close to winning the game, great defence from Viniwaqa at full back foiled one great Army chance. In an effort to win the game and take the IS trophy the soldiers spurned the chance for their own one pointer and finally after what seemed like an eternity for RN support Ref Alibert brought the game to a close much to the delight of the RN and much to the relief of al the players. Both dugouts were kept busy all subs being used as the pace and physicality of the match took its toll, Army Skipper Sly Sylvester was out cold for some time but was patched up and returned to the fray late on. RN Centre Jim Barnes suffered a spiral leg fracture but still managed to walk off the field a great advert for the sport in the services.

For the record The RAF won the IS Seniors title by virtue of their overwhelming points advantage after the win over the RN and head coach Dave Moll collected the trophy from RAFRL President Air Vice Marshal Sir Stuart Peach. The man of the match on the night was Army second row Bav Bavou who worked tirelessly both in attack and defence.

The night however belonged to the Brothers, coaches Gareth White and Wayne Okell rejigged their side to cope with the expected Army onslaught and after a gritty determined performance from all 17 players the RN once again retained the Jack Harrison VC trophy. The trophy was presented to skipper Danny Johnson by Rear Admiral Charles Montgomery with Johnson also picking up the RN’s own Kenny Taylor award presented by the great man himself

RN; Atunaisa Vuniwaqa, Silivenusi Buinimasi, James Wagstaffe, Jim Barnes Wilson Tulakepa, Dane Smallbone, Wayne John, Jamie Goss, Kev Botwood, Lewis Taylor, Tom Boyce, Ritchie Metcalfe, Danny Johnson(C), Mark Robinson, Richard Sharp, Craig Sutton, Ben Taylor

Scorers; T Tulakepa, Ben Taylor,
G Smallbone 1(C) 1 (dg)