Corps Festival

Season 2010-2011
Ten out of Ten
15 Sep 10

The Inter Corps ‘Tens’ opened the Army competitive season in fine style at Aldershot on15th September 2010. Maybe some of last season’s ‘stars’ were missing but it was possible to welcome back the likes of Army cap Ledua Jope (RE) after time in the East.

The competitive edge was present throughout the day and particularly so in the finals where nothing was settled until the ‘fat lady’ blew his whistle. Indeed, as the bookies were on the point of paying out in two matches, the lead changed hands saving them a fortune.

League 1 – Final
REME hit the Spot
REME (12) v RLC (5)

The REME surge on to the attack

The League 1 final was a cracker between the RLC, runners-up in 2008 and 2009, and an ‘Oh-So-Steady’ REME team that exuded competence right down the numbers. On the evidence REME looked favourites to land the silverware but the RLC, shorn of a few Army caps, played fluent rugby to open the scoring. The REME were strong enough quickly to counter. Army capped scrum half Tom Chennell was the essential cog in most moves whilst Mat Bowman, who has a great Army future at No7, punched through to the line for the first REME try. Outs Outrum put REME ahead with Will Narruhn adding the points with moments to go.

RAC try or bust

League 2 – Final
RAC (28) v AGC (12)

The ’2′ final drew the RAC and AGC together. The RAC have always looked good at the Tens but never quite crossed the last hurdle. This time they met the AGC who cheekily opened their account inside a minute. Thereafter the RAC had too many long striding runners individually able to carve through a tiring defence and a scrum half who was rather too quick thinking for the AGC.

Men’s League Table Results

Galloping Major - Kat Woods At Pace

Women’s Final
AGC (26) v AMS (22)

The Women’s final as no ‘coffee morning’. Former England player Kat Woods led her ‘medical marauders’ right into the heart of an AGC defence to score a fistful of tries. Under the heavy bombardment the AGC initially wilted, then scored from an interception, recovered their poise and then landed a great try on the outside in the final moments to take the title.

Women’s League Results

Koms Komasavai feeds scrum half Tom Chennell

The ARU season is now well and truly on fire. Bad luck for the RLC who played some excellent rugby and well done the AGC for having two finalist teams and, of course, the RAC for persevering to take the crown in style.

With four inter unit cup competitions, two Corps Championship (Merit Tables), Academy, Women and Senior XV rugby slotted into the structured season, plus a shed load of 7s, there is something for everyone-particularly enjoyment.

Big note for the diary:

20 April 2011 – ARMY V RAF – Army Rugby Stadium, Aldershot

7 May 2011 – ARMY V NAVY – Twickenham