Cwmtawe 7s Match Report

Cwmtawe 7s – 6 Aug 11

This was the final fixture of a season which has been short but extremely compacted, however, the team looked forward to representing the British Army in Wales’ premier 7s competition.

The day was an interesting one as the pool games started in the afternoon with Pembrokeshire Young Farmers Club kicking off the tournament for the Reds. The Reds started off ruthlessly scoring 24 point to nil in each half to see the final score 48 – 0 with the normal speed merchants running in tries; Sikeli 2, Swanny 2, Bunny 2, Jack and Maggy scoring 1 each. A good opener to test the team and run out the cobwebs from the weeks normal military activates.

Next opponents were Glynnarth, a team with some great talent which was evident from the start as they worked extremely hard for every second of the game which saw both teams sharing the spoils at the break at 5 – 5. During the second half the pressure didn’t change for the Reds, two tries being scored on the wings allowed them not to be converted which was the difference between the teams as two tries apiece the only difference was Jack’s conversion to give the final score at 17 – 15. This was a testing game which not only tried our defence but also woke the team up for the quarters coming over the horizon.

With all the pool games finally over, our next game was Llanelli, a quality team that played well in the pool stages and were looking for blood. With the almost shock in the pool stages by Glynnarth, Alfred stepped it up a gear during training to have the team firing on all cylinders. From the kick off the team had a different outlook, totally focused and ready to take the fight to the enemy. Slick hands, dynamic running angles saw Sikeli run in a hat trick of tries and the team was leading at the break 21 – 7. Not wanting to take a step back, Alfred used his calming words at half time and the team responded with tries being scored by Bunny, Maggy and Gus making the final score 40 – 14 which even put a smile on Apo’s face, but you know he wanted more!

The next game was going to be another step up in level as Ponty Buthchers (fielding a large number of Ospreys Development) were our Semi Finalist opponents. A great team which we had witnessed playing some outstanding rugby during the day and were definatly a worthy semi final opposition. However, this didn’t distract the skippers run prior to the kick off. Totally focused the Reds were ready for start, with an exchange of moves the opposition scored the first two tries to see them 12 – 0 up. This didn’t affect the team, from the restart, Apo took the lead and powered his way forward to set up Sikeli for a try under the post to stem the tide. This followed with another two tries being scored by Apo and Gus to give the half time score 19 – 12. At the half time break, Alfred went on the field to give some firm words which saw the team react with a total dominance of the second half running in four unanswered tries by Jack, Sikeli, Bunny and Apo. This was a great turnaround from the first half with the team final sealing a place in the final with 45 – 12 win over Ponty. Thanks must go to them for being a great team showing the core spirit behind rugby and more importantly why we play the game.

Next up for the Reds was the final which was going to be billed Samurai, however, with a shocked win in the final minutes of their semi finals, Neath ran in a late try to steal the game. So it was going to be a local team verses the British Army with everything at stake. With this in mind, the Reds completed the pre match routine ready for the off. With the referee blowing the whistle Apo received the ball from the start with immediate pressure being applied to eventually seeing the ruck being over loaded with the ball spilling out on Neaths side.

Their winger stole the ball and ran down the wing finally scoring a converted try taking the lead for his team. From the next restart the tactics seemed the same with Neath collecting the ball to run down the wing floating along the touch line to finally go under the posts to be 14 – 0 up in the first 3 minutes of the half. However, the Reds had been in the same position during the day and the quality of the team was the spirit to bounce back, but this did look a mammoth task. We didn’t forget twinkle toes Sikeli who broke through a determined defence to run in under the post before the end of the first half whistle to give the score at the break 14 – 7 to Neath. Alfred didn’t waste any time getting on the pitch to give the advice on what he wanted and how we need to play, better defence and more importantly, take your chances.

The second half was designed for the faint hearted, both teams smashed each other with no remorse, totally throwing everything at each other it needed some magic. Up stepped Jack with his undignified dummy leaving a gap for him to sprint in to the right corner to score a try but it was not converted leaving the score 14 – 12 to Neath and time was fading away. Any finger nails left were slowly being bitten away! From an injury, Apo got the team in and made it clear he wanted this win and made sure the team would shed blood doing it. This saw the final minute of the game watching the Reds apply pressure from touch line to touch line until finally Maggy broke the defence with some dazzling footwork to see a timed pass to speed man Gus who sprinted down the right hand wing to score in the right hand corner shacking off two defending players in the process. However, the referee didn’t indicate the try as it appeared the assistant referees wanted to talk to him, after the nail biting discussion, the referee finally gave the try to steal the win in the final seconds to give the Reds a 17 – 14 win at the final whistle. What an outstanding game and something that you could never say wasn’t exciting whichever team you supported.

We won’t say who won the try scoring count today Sikeli, but we must say that the man of the Match was Gus Qasevakatini whose speed and talented skills caught the eyes of the officials, well done.

What an end to the day and season, it has had its ups and downs this year but we have done well to develop and recruit new players. Thanks must go to all the management and players for a great season, I hope that you will all have a great XVs season and look forward to seeing you next year. Keep in touch via the web on Facebook and chat soon.

Vinaka and God Bless

Also, during the evening the annual awards were given out by the Director of Senior Rugby, Colonel Andy Allen MBE to Player of the Season – LCpl Sikeli Ratubuli and New Player of the Season – LCpl Morgan Evens. This year a special award was given to the best Mess Up of the Season which went to LCpl Apo Satala who knocked on during a tackle by a worm in the ground in Worthing!