Senior XV Match Reports 2010-11

Click the links to skip to your preferred match report

Army (52) v RAF (nil) – 20 April 11
Army (17) v Georgia (30) – 23 March 11
Army (7) v Bedwas (17) – 14 March 11
Army (5) v Worcester (24) – 23 Feb 11
Army (24) v Oxford University (8) – 9 Feb 11
Army (34) v Cambridge University (8) – 26 Jan 11

Army 52pts—RAF nil

BABCOCK Challenge on Track

Bola Boladau on the charge

The Army outplayed the RAF 52 pts-0 at Aldershot in what was another special night for Sapper lock Ben Hughes who won his 31st cap— an Army record.

After six minutes winger Ben Seru remained on station to finish off a team try under the posts. The Army were then tempted into a period of ‘free play’ where Apo Satala was immense. No6 Bola Boladau as frequently on his shoulder to crank up the momentum as was hooker Matt Dwyer who enjoyed a number of ‘runs’.

Centre Paul Gittins off-loads

As the game tightened a number of the Army ploys rehearsed in the Portugal Boot Camp unfolded and the Reds ran lines that would have graced any stadium. Paul Gittins is a whole chunk of centre and has never looked sharper. Peceli Nacamavuto found the hard ground much to his liking and his try was a just reward for both initiative and endeavour.

For those counting there were eight tries and Ceri Cummings returned to the fray with five conversions. The pick was probably Malakai Magnus’s first, not so much for the individual finish but for the build-up and clinical execution.

Ben Seru crosses for second

Ben Seru scored a second and featured in many others whilst Malakai Magnus on the opposite wing also hauled in a brace. Full back Ceri Cummings was back to his attacking best. He had no hesitation in telling the other fourteen what he wanted !

Stand-off Jack Prasad was more than a handful for the RAF air defence whilst scrum half Ian Martin came off the bench to remind selectors and crowd of his mercurial skills. Matt Bowman scored near the posts at the death.

This was a good RAF side with twelve new caps from the Navy game the previous week. They scrummaged well and tackled with pride.. They rucked as though they wanted to compete and diminutive fly half Rory Wood looked good for many seasons to come.

Matt Dwyer goes for bust

Twickenham beckons for yet another winner takes all battle. The Navy won 52 pts—3 at Newbury whilst the Army did not concede. A close enough prelude for what on 7th May should be the tastiest BABCOCK Inter Service match seen at HQ for a decade.

Posted: 21 April 2011

Army 17 pts—Georgia 30

THE TIDE TURNED – ALMOST

Reporter/photographer: Roger Thompson

Hard working and ebullient Matt Dwyer

This was hard, hard in all departments. With hindsight and a superb imagination it would be possible to suggest the Army, 20 pts—nil down at half time, could have sneaked a memorable victory but all the ducks never quite got into the row. Nevertheless this was an entertaining game of rugby and the Army manned up before an appreciative crowd at Kingsholm, Gloucester. It was a season turning point and it makes sense to dwell on the high spots.

The Army loves its ‘factors’ so let us remember a few. The Georgians have a famous rugby history (Go to Wikipaedia). They are off to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. They were coming off the back of winning the FIRA European Championship with a weekend win against old enemies Russia. Tails were high and they were certainly up for “a serious friendly” according to former Irish half back and now coach Mike Bradley.

Georgia opened in top gear and soon found the cohesive drive to punch the ball forward Italian style. Pace and back-up were clearly in their manual. Their strategy paid dividends and they powered their way to three excellent tries in the first half Throughout the Army’s ‘defensive’ phase of the match Matt Bowman proved the value of a thoroughbred No7 and the need to influence the breakdown or face interminable recycling of the ball and more chasing.

Sam Speight under steam

Whatever the Army ‘took’ at the interval worked. The scrum tightened, the line-out stretched and the pace quickened. As the Army visibly grew in stature Georgian confidence started to take ‘hits’ and they looked a vulnerable outfit. It was at this point that Army imagination could have forged a famous victory.

The Army line-out with new cap Ralph Cooke (RE) in flying form was effective for the first time this season. Paul Llewellyn (R Welsh) claimed workable ball at the rear and support was quick and effective. With forward momentum on the rise No9 Gareth Slade Jones pressed the ’attack’ trigger, fly half Jack Prasad delivered and but for highly effective blitz defence wings Ben Seru (RE) and Sam Speight (RA) would have been away.

The scrum which had in phases been under early pressure pressed forwards. Rick Reeves (RE) at loose head stood his ground to a brute of a tight-head and No8 Ifereimi Boladau exploded off the back taking Georgias’ defence into uncharted waters. The tide had, at this point , certainly turned and skipper Mel Lewis marshalled his pack to reinforce success. A couple of kickable penalties went begging but recognition for sheer spirit and belief came when Peceli Nacamavuto scored the first try.

Ifereimi Boladau surges

Prasad, with more space, allowed his toes to twinkle but it was sheer determination that took him across the line. Denny Delaitamana burst through a line-out to score in the corner for Ian Martin to convert. The rushing tide was now in full flow and the Georgians started visibly to tread water. Back to the imagination –ten more minutes and who knows!

Winger Malakai Magnus playing at full back became the first line of attack as Georgia, somewhat taken aback by their turn around in fortune, started to ‘blatt’ the high ball down field. Magnus was as safe as houses (used to be) and counter attacked with great verve. As referee David Williams blew for full time it was Georgia who were feeling the squeeze.

Playing against an international outfit on tour who have just proved themselves the best team in Europe outside the Six Nations was a real test of personality and skills. Taking all the plusses in a row the Army rose to the challenge to a man. Not only had they, in those few minutes after the break, turned the tide but shown a way forward for the rest of the season. At the whistle it was possible to see a clear path to the Inter Service Championship, Twickenham and the International Defence Rugby Cup in New Zealand.

New Caps - See Text

Coach Andy Sanger was ever proud of the Reds. “This was a performance of immense character. We faced an international team in full training with eight new caps, Chris Budgen on the touch and Apo Satala at the Hong Kong 7s—I am very proud of what everyone achieved”.

Mal Roberts, Army skipper in the 2000s presented first caps to Rick Reeves, Alex Whittaker, Ralph Cooke, Paul Llewellyn, Ifereimi Boladau, Matt Bowman, James Read, Sam Speight and Baks Bakosa. He reminded new caps and old caps alike that “winning a cap was only the start, wearing the Red’s jersey with pride was a lifetime responsibility”.

Bedwas 17 pts—Army 7

BEDWAS BIG HITS

Reporter/photographer: Roger Thompson

Hard working and ebullient Matt Dwyer

Bedwas – not quite bible black valley stuff but, nevertheless, a Welsh Principality Premiership club with huge potential for dishing out pain ! Add to that a slack handful of nomadic Newport Gwent Dragons looking for a bit of a game and it was clearly hoofing time—everything from the ball to the bonce ! Add to that a huge array of skills, well drilled and flamboyant rugby players and you get some idea of what Coach Andy Sanger was thinking of when he bought the boys to Bedwas!

The Army lost this one by three tries to one but ironically it must be the Bedwas coaches and team who were saying ‘why, with such a strong outfit, did we not carve them up’. The answer lay in Army team belief, great defensive organization, a first class scrum and heroic tackling.

A top feature of the season has been the Army scrum. On the night the Army was a clear second in the ‘poundage stakes’ but the Reds dominated this phase of tight play and were even capable of taking Bedwas ball. Newly appointed Army skipper Melvyn Lewis together with Matt Dwyer and the ageless Chris Budgen were watertight up front. Kenny Dowding added depth. Plenty of power was generated by the Sapper lock pairing of Ben Hughes and Ralph Cooke.

Maccu Koroiyadi drives and drives

Matt Bowman was everywhere and Ifereimi Boladau came on to make a strong claim to feature in the back-row.

For the Army the line out remained something of a ‘no fly zone’. Cooke stands at 6ft 5 ins but was dwarfed by the ‘Dragon’ opposite who collected at least half of the touch-line restarts. Also the Welsh boys had a commanding presence at the rear and cunningly were able to vary their throws to where the Army had strength but no length.

Bedwas dominated first half possession but despite lashings of ball found penetration difficult. The Reds tackling was superb, pressure often forced the Welshmen to spill the ball but the Army were never quite able to seize the advantage against a pro-outfit that was quick to regroup. After much pressure Bedwas scored an opener on 35 mins ( 7pts—nil) only to see Gerhard Wessels take advantage of some Welsh over-elaboration to sprint clear and 60m to the posts.

Ben Seru almost clear

Scrum half Ian Martin and No10 James Read were smooth but under pressure. Paul Gittins was probably on the night the man for the job at centre. He stood up well in the tackle including a ‘Croeso y Cymru’ special that would have cut lesser men in half.

With Army referee supremo Dai Williams quietly doing his nut in the shadows, the Welshmen took full territorial advantage from a series of unnecessary penalties. Also a couple of major ‘horlicks’ by the Army gift wrapped two more tries for Bedwas.

Nowhere in the game plan was there a call for hookers to ‘box-kick’ from the ‘22’ to the opposite side of the park where the Bedwas defence was arrayed in counter-attack strength, but it happened. Why? Answers on a post card to the hard working and ebullient Matt Dwyer.

Matt Bowman - airborne

The Welsh were good ball players and moved dangerously against the Army defence at every opportunity. The Reds were body and soul up for the task and successful counter-rucking became a feature of their game. Again the Reds caused ball to be spilled but were unable to generate sufficient space to bring in Ben Seru—probably the quickest man on the park.

This was a stern test of team character, rugby skills and cussedness. The former was found in abundance and against a pro Bedwas Plus XV there was never quite the opportunity to showcase anything but defensive resilience. For many it was their first welcome to the valleys. All the kit was pinched, the away team showers were cold, food ran out early and the coach was rolled down the hill into the river. Great hospitality—great night !

P.S We’ve got most of the kit back – from Ebay.

Posted: 14 March 11

Army (5) v Worcester (24)
Worcester – 23 Feb 11

Reporter/photographer: Roger Thompson

Ian Martin - "one giant step for mankind"

“A positive work in progress” is how coach Andy Sanger described the match against a Worcester Warriors XV deploying three senior internationals and many first team players. Worcester coach, former England scrum half Richard Hill, had complimented the Army by fielding a strong mid-week team, and recounting a loss by 24pts—5 may require a little pinch of salt.

In the opening quarter there was little evident contrast between the ‘pros’ and the Army as the ‘Reds’ tore into the Warriors who themselves had started brightly. The home team had certainly come out to play rugby across the numbers but fierce tackling and counter-rucking gave the Army unexpected ball. Indeed inside five minutes a turnover gave Ben Seru a 70m run to the try-line.

The early exchanges remained feisty and fair creating territorial parity. Mistakes created scrums and the Army were too frequently ‘pinged’ in their own half providing the Warriors with easy short range attacking positions. Samoan international fly half Willie Walker brought his backs into early play and more fierce tackling was required. Centre Gavin Ferguson had a stormer in defence—with sound effects—as the home crowd of a thousand or so winced as he made contact. It was not a game for shrinking violets and any attempt by the Warriors to attack was quickly confronted by a well organized defence.

Matt Bowman another 'picn' drive'

The scrum spearheaded by Mel Lewis, Matt Dwyer and Rick Reeves fronted up on the night. The modern game requires an 8-man effort and spot-on timing and, cliché or not, the Warriors were under the cosh in every single contact. Apo Satala, Maccu Koroiyadi and Matt Bowman gorged themselves off the back of a retreating pack –and frequently turned the ball to Reds advantage. Matt Bowman was outstanding in ball retrieval and counter-attack, Satala and Koroiyadi drove and drove.

Conversely the line out was a shambles and denied the Army any use of the ball from such re-starts. Far be it for a ‘skin-hair-cloth’ man to comment on the mental algorithms, strength and fast feet required by today’s forward at the throw-in so, eliminating all jargon, this is designated an area of ‘work in progress’. Don’t jump to the conclusion it was always the hooker’s fault, it’s a complicated old game around the touches and there is time for proper analysis.

Maccu Koroiyadi drives into the defence

Worcester was probably the end of coach Andy Sanger’s broad search for new talent. Some 60 players have trained, worn the red shirt and been noted. Few can make the grade in a single season but it is now clear that rugby players at Corps level know they can get a fair shout at the hustings.

The Army lost a hard, warm hearted game against a strong Warrior XV by 4 tries to one. Unforced errors probably surrendered two excellent scoring opportunities when all the hard work getting into the red zone and creating leverage had been done. That is the nature of the game. Maybe someone should speak to the Royal Navy about taking the chances on offer!

“All in all a positive work—in—progress ?” – watch this space !

Posted: 28 Feb 11

Army (24) v Oxford University (8)
Aldershot – 26 Jan 11

Army Gain Varsity Double

Reporter/photographer: Roger Thompson

The Army has only twice beaten both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, in the same season, during the past 20 years. That they achieved this worthwhile double with a team featuring players hoping to wear a Red’s shirt at Twickenham, or claim a place on the plane to the Defence World Cup in Australia / New Zealand, was an triumph for the revamped coaching team under Capt Andy Sanger (RE).

Apo Satala takes on Oxford

Against Oxford forget the icing-this was cake and yet more cake – albeit with quite a few crumbs that needed picking up.

The Army front row dominated contact. At the spearhead of another fine scrum performance skipper Mel Lewis, Matt Dwyer and Ken Dowding were supreme against an experienced Blues’ unit which, in truth, crumbled. Importantly the Oxford team did not. Indeed they put up a spirited performance and after a period of pressure took the lead with a well worked penalty.

The Army attempted to finesse away the deficit but were too often guilty of overdoing the ‘corporate flash’ that we all enjoy. As they conjured up intricate moves in front of an appreciative crowd spills inevitably followed. Spills meant scrums and scrums ironically meant the Army regained possession. In this process the Oxford pack was scrambled from back to front and inevitably the game was slowed down which suited the Varsity.

Ian Martin gets the ball away

Despite such a favourable tangle on the front line the Reds maintained only varying degrees of attacking momentum. Yes, the Varsity was being forced to play off the remnants-but they did so often with some composure and skill.

Also, the Oxford defence was well drilled and quick to regroup. In what should have been a period of Army pressure, a series of unforced errors meant the Reds failed to realize points. Indeed they insisted on running the ball wide from a wobbly platform -or sometimes from no platform at all! Full circle again and again-possession-spill-scrum-re-possession but knackered forwards!

Maccu Koroiyadi drives into the defence

The Army started by lighting the fuse and then piling in. With an ample supply of the ball Nos 9 to the Rear Areas individually played smoothly yet with a corporate flamboyance that had not been earned. Ian Martin and James Read linked well at half back in only their first game together. Gerhard Wessels and Paul Gittins were in ‘sync’ and wings Sam Speight and Gus Qasevakatini were always poised for pace outside. Any misfires, and there were quite a few, were caused by an over-eagerness and a lack of match togetherness that can be smoothed with time.

Matt Bowman, who had another excellent game at openside, put the Army on the scoreboard just before half time. Hooker Alex Whittaker ran close to the posts for the second whilst Maccu Koroiyadi drove to the line with Blue shirts dripping from his shoulders. Maccu has certainly regained the appetite and performance evident in 2009 and was by consensus the Army Man of the Match. Ian Martin kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Kava in full flight

Sadly the game was brought to a premature end with 10 minutes to go when an Oxford player was injured and could not be moved. We wish him a speedy recovery.

By and large the Army played constructive rugby but attempted at too early a stage in a hard match, to entertain a crowd. The pack was again immense with skipper Melvin Lewis and Koroiyadi flying into the contact situations. Ralph Cooke was secure in the middle of the line-out and became the target for frequent drives deep into Dark Blue territory. Indeed all the forwards drove the ball low and hard and little was given away in defence.

Coach Andy Sanger concluded “I am happy that we won by a clear margin with three good tries. Maybe we attempted to play creative rugby at too early a stage and we will learn from that. James Read had another highly satisfactory game at the pivot and tackled well beyond the call of a fly half’s duty. A work of art in progress!”.

Team:
Mel Lewis (WG), Matt Dwyer (WG), Ken Dowding (RHA), Ben Hughes (RE), Ralph Cooke (RE), Mathew Koroiyadi (RE), Matt Bowman (REME), Joe Kava (RLC), Ian Martin (3 Yorks), James Read (R Welsh), Gus Qasevakatini (RE), Paul Gittins (AMS), Gerhard Wessels (RE), Sam Speight (RA), Stuart Douglass (RE)

Replacements:
Alex Whittaker (3 Yorks), Warren Ross Allen (AAC), Darrell Ball (RE), Gareth Parry (RLC), Jack Prasad (1 Scots), Malakai Magnus (RLC), Apolosi Satala (1 Scots), Gavin Ferguson (RLC)

Posted: 10 Feb 11

Army (34) v Cambridge University (8)
Cambridge – 26 Jan 11

Bowman – More Than Great Communications

Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson

The Army opened the 2011 season with a thrilling away victory 34 pts-8 against Cambridge University. A tentative start was ignited when Sam Speight finished off a 7s style try that drew applause from the Varsity crowd. After that point, frankly, the students were seldom in the hunt.

Paul Llewellyn drives the motorway route

It was clear that the Cambridge front row were individually under the cosh against Mel Lewis, Matt Dwyer and Ken Dowding and that the Reds would build on what amounted to ‘persistent’ momentum from a strong attacking platform. To an extent the opposite may have been true in the line out where the Cambridge jumpers enjoyed a sound understanding with the thrower

The Army had welcomed back to training a number of retro-players, none more so than Gareth Slade Jones at scrum half. His tactical decision making was top notch and he had lost none of his appetite for that extra bit of contact. ‘GSJ”s commitment allowed newcomer fly half James Read a degree of freedom to run the threequarters or kick for territorial advantage-both with a calmness and precision that showed there is more to come.

James Read goes for a gap

The Reds had opened with Speight’s well worked touchdown. Another relative newcomer to the Senior XV, he has previously shown great speed in the open spaces of 7s but scoring two more tries on the night demonstrated he could also run the tight corners and angles.

There is no intention to criticize the referee (moi?) but ‘stats’ showed the scrum and penalty count, in the first half, was bizarrely something like 10:1 in favour of the students. A number of basic errors might have accounted for three or four whistles and the temporary loss of momentum. More importantly the ceding of territory focussed on the Reds’ defence – worth a paragraph on its own.

The scene on thirty five minutes had the Army entrenched on its own line with two back-row forwards in the bin (seen that somewhere before!) If you have never heard of ‘attacking defence’ (just thought that one up !) this was a superb example of where the Varsity had all the ball but the Army retained-sometimes tenuously-the initiative. Tackling was personal, accurate and crunchy-organization in the heat of the moment was terrific.

Matt Bowman's pic'n drive

Turnover to the Army after what seemed an age relieved the pressure and led to a scrum mid-field. Five gladiators up front with No 7 Matt Bowman alone at the back The front five steadied the ship, Bowman went for an audacious ‘pic’n drive’ and Sam Speight ended up by the posts. Great team try – Bowman squeezed the trigger.

Bowman was more of a dagger than a thorn in the side of the students. He was at the heart of the action. Decisive, elusive and, above all, brave he thundered into the spaces between the attacking backs, who at an early stage need to look out for him as the extra man.

This was a first game in 2011 and the Reds played well. Most people looked sharp-none more so than Peceli Nacamavuto and Gus Q. During the second half the massive presence of Dave Bates gave way to Ralph Cooke, and Paul Llewellyn– who showed a clean pair of heels to the student pack. Excellent opener from both.

Matt Dwyer - Its true, he can kick!

Reds coach Andy Sanger could afford to smile when he singled out the half backs from a good team performance. “Gareth Slade Jones’ decision making allowed James Read to launch the backs at the right moment and we scored five good tries. Read also defended the 10 / 12 channel so that even if we lost possession the defence was able to regroup”.

Final point for the night-hooker Matt Dwyer thinks he can place kick-he can!

Difficult to end this account with a pithy one liner because it’s not easy to see how a team that made so many little errors could beat Cambridge University so convincingly. After a few hours thinking on the M25, the ‘morning after’ conclusion goes something like belief/morale, a strong forward platform well led by skipper Mel Lewis, great defence, classy running in 60 second bursts with strength in depth in key positions. That will do nicely for January !

Team:
Mel Lewis (WG), Matt Dwyer (WG), Ken Dowding (RHA), Ben Hughes (RE,) Dave Bates (R SIGNALS), Mathew Koroiyadi (RE), Matt Bowman (REME), Joe Kava (RLC), Gareth Slade Jones (RAPTC), James Read (R Welsh), Denny Bakosa (RE), Gavin Ferguson (RLC), Peceli Nacamavuto (RE), Sam Speight (RA), Stuart Douglas (RE)

Replacements:
Joe Baker (RLC), Nat Titchard Jones (REME), Paul Llewellyn (R Welsh), Ralph Cooke (RE), Gareth Parry (RLC), Rhydian Slade Jones (RE), Ratu Bulumakau (Royal Regiment of Scotland), Gus Qasavakatini (RE)

Posted: 28 Jan 11