The race for the top of Corps Championships League 1 is tightening up as we head into the winter months following this week’s results in Round 3.
Having lost their opening round to the Royal Logistics Corps, the Royal Engineers have won their next two matches to go into December on 10 points. Meanwhile the RLC, who had won both their opening matches, suffered their first reverse of the campaign away to REME on Wednesday afternoon tied with the Sappers at the head of the table.
The Sappers headed to Harpenden to take on the Infantry, and took control of the contest in the first half, Spr Ogunwole crossing for a try and fly half Cpl O’Rourke kicking six points to lead 13-0 at the break.
The Infantry did score the first points of the second half, HLDR Iritu finishing off a flowing move, but after that the contest belonged to the Engineers. The forwards created a trio of close range tries, Spr Rotukana fended off a tackle to cut a good line to the whitewash, and the pick of the bunch was left until last, Spr Goneqali flipping an outstanding offload to LCpl Findlay to round off the scoring, 46-7 the final result.
The RLC were also on the road at REME at Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, and they came unstuck against the 2021/22 runners-up, going down 13-23 to miss out on a bonus point which would have kept them at the top.
Instead it is the Sappers who lead the way – just – and there will be plenty at stake when the two teams go head-to-head on December 7th.
In League 2 the Royal Artillery continued their unbeaten start with a 20-0 bonus point success over the Army Medical Services, and there was a very competitive encounter at Stafford RFC between the Royal Signals and Royal Armoured Company.
Nip and tuck between the teams, who matched each other score for score during the contest before the Signals scored the final crucial try to win 20-15.
League 3 is being dominated by the Army Air Corps, who have both 15 league points and a points difference of plus-67.
Their latest conquests were the RAPTC, who were downed 45-18, while the Intelligence Corps forfeited their clash against the Adjutant General’s Corps, the bonus point awarded win putting the AGC into second place.
The AAC and AGC go head-to-head in Round 4 in December.
In the Women’s Championship the collaboration continues between Corps, RLC and the Infantry coming together to beat a joint team from REME, the Royal Signals and RE, 22-10, while the RA, AAC and RAC jointly beat the AMS 37-10.
Meanwhile in the Masters there is little to separate the top three teams. REME beat the RLC 26-20 to go top on points difference from the Gunners, who beat the Sappers 44-28. However the RLC’s competitiveness is reflected by their four bonus points which has put them on eight points, just two behind REME and RA.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and Featured Image © The Corps of Royal Engineers
