Army Masters XV Match Reports

Army Masters v Richmond Heavies 4 March 11

This was always going to be a interesting fixture with the Army Masters facing Richmond Heavies off the back of a good win against Kew Occasionals and Richmond Heavies previously touring Jersey two weeks prior to the match with a win under their belts. Both teams turned up to Queens Avenue on a dry, but cold night with temperatures reading below zero ready for a game that the 50+ supporters were all going to enjoy.

Referee Andy Davies started the match and from the kick off Richmond got on the front foot with an impressive maul that took the Army back into there half. It was obvious from the start that Richmond was up for this one. The first 15 minutes saw most of the possession go to Richmond and their mighty pack was in the mood for a powerful game. The Army pack was holding them in the set piece and making Richmond work for everything. Fly-half for the Army SSgt Kelvin Venn relieved the pressure with some good kicking to touch which allowed the Army to get into the game in the first half. Bad discipline from SSgt Dave Goddard at number eight after 20 mins for a late tackle saw the Referee go to his pocket and a sin bin for Goddard. The Army down to 14 men inspired the Army side to put in more effort and again some good touch finders and some strong running saw the Army in the Richmond half again. Ill discipline on behalf off the Richmond side gave away a penalty in front of the posts 30 meters out; Cpl Lee Davies playing 12 for the Army stepped up and converted the penalty 3 – 0. From the restart the Army continued the pressure and rumbled into the Richmond half once again and once again Richmonds discipline let them down and another penalty in front of the posts 20 meters out was given to the Army. Cpl Lee Davies again stepped up to convert the penalty 6 – 0. SSgt Dave Goddard returned to the field after a 10 minute rest and the Army were back to full strength. Just before half time Richmond were camped on the Army line before a cracking tackle by Maj Liam McCormick which was heard on the other side of Queens Avenue dislodged the ball from the Richmond player. SSgt Kelvin Venn stepped up and booted the ball off the park; Referee blew his whistle for half time.

Some inspired changes at half time saw both coaches using there replacements to good use. Richmond were to be the first to use there replacement to good use with Matt Rogers 2 minutes after kick off going under the posts to score a well deserved try which was converted by Matt Hart for Richmond 6 – 7. The Army from the restart worked relentlessly to gain the upper hand and 5 minutes later saw the Army replacement number 8, Sgt Gareth Williams go over the white wash. Cpl Lee Davies stepped up for the conversion but failed to convert with the ball just shaving the left upright 11 – 7. After that the passage of play was end to end rugby until the Army conceded a penalty underneath their own posts 10 meters out. Richmond surprisingly did not go for the conversion, instead going for the try but strong Army defence kept the visitors out and another good clearance kick found the Army back on the half way line. Good pressure from Richmond found themselves back in the Army half, the discipline of the Army team raised issues again with Lt Col Simon Orr being sin binned for a swinging arm with 9 minutes to go, the Army down to 14 men could not afford anymore discipline issues. However 7 minutes later Cpl Alfred Vakacoko put in a late hit on one of the Richmond players only to see the Referee go to his pocket for the third time for the Army side. Down to 13 players with 2 forwards in the sin bin Richmond saw the opportunity to exert pressure at scrum time. The Army pack going backwards under pressure and the back line following them gave the Richmond No 8 the opportunity to pick and go with an off load to the backs and Matt Hart was over for his second try for Richmond the conversion was missed 11 – 12. The referee called it a day and blew his whistle for the end of a cracking game.

The Army with this defeat underneath them, an up and coming training camp to Edinburgh at the end of March and the looming Inter Services fast approaching, must realise you can not play Rugby unless you have 15 players on the park. The coaching staff will definitely be talking to the players about discipline. However it was a cracking game and all the players and spectators enjoyed it.

Report by WO1 (ASM) Trev Howard (Ass ARU Masters Manager)

Posted: 9 March 1

Army Masters (23) v HM Prison Service (17)
Aldershot – 12 Jan 11

A wet night at the ‘Shot’ saw the Army Masters kick off their season against a large Prison Service side; a bit of early dominance – territory wise (from the Army), when finally after 20 minutes Errol Jones scores out wide, 5-0. With the restart not going 10m, the Prison Service are struggling to get out of their own half; an unfortunate knock on in their 22 by the Masters (with a try begging) is soon forgotten when a break by Nabs Nabakeke is finished off under the posts by Dom Hayakawa, converted by Alex Biggs, 25 minutes played, 12-0. A kick into the Army half to relieve the pressure is returned from 22 to 22 by Tom Tom Turagabeci and the game comes alive; as do the Prison Service as they break clear to score after 31 minutes, 12-5, a good cover tackle – try saving – from the Masters ends the half.

A few changes at half time (including Lala Lalauvaki for Sov Sovanivalu) by the Prison Service pays immediate dividend when after 43 minutes they take the score to 12-10, the new physical presence then has an adverse effect as they receive a yellow card two minutes later. More replacements from the Prison Service, and when a successful penalty from Biggs take’s the score to 15-10, the Army respond with changes themselves after 49 minutes; Liam McCormick for Roko Rokowailevu, Stu Jones for Cam Hastie and Mark Kane for Alex Biggs. Good hands from the Masters as they drive into the opposition 22 and Andy Davie finishes off, 52 minutes played, the score moves on to 20-10.

On the hour, Shaun Collins on for Cam Cameron, plus another Prison Service substitute from a good size squad; another penalty this time from Marc Wilding and a score of 23-10. Strong ground making runs from Gareth Williamson, Jones cleaning up well and Lalauvali directing quick ball is followed on 70 minutes by further changes as Paul Tink comes on for Gary Windle and Lee Davis for Hayakawa. A late rally from the Prison Service sees them hit the post from a penalty attempt (73 min) and a late replacement needed with Dave Goddard on for Wilding, on 79 minutes a converted try ends the scoring and a final score of 23-17; a good fixture and a big thank you to the Prison Service – long may it continue!

1 Cam Cameron REME
2 Gary Windle RE – Skipper
3 Mark Eastley RE
4 Andy Davie RLC
5 Roko Rokowailevu RLC
6 Marc Wilding REME
7 Cam Hastie AAC
8 Gareth Williamson RLC
9 Sov Sovanivalu RE
10 Phil Davies REME
11 Errol Jones RE
12 Alex Biggs INF
13 Dom Hayakawa AGC
14 Emosi Nabakeke R Sigs
15 Tom Tom Turagabeci RLC
16 Paul Tink RA
17 Shaun Collins RLC
18 Liam McCormick INF
19 Stu Jones REME
20 Mark Kane RAPTC
21 Lee Davis RLC
22 Lala Lalauvaki RLC
23 Dave Goddard RE

Posted: 17 Jan 11

Army Masters XV v RA Vets
Aldershot – 1 Nov 10

The Gunners pulled out of the match last night at Aldershot. Instead a trial match was played after the Masters managed to field two full sides – thanks to Ref Steve Davies.

Posted: 2 Nov 10