Army Masters 24 - 15 North Petherton

The Army Masters continued their preparations for the Inter-Services Championship with a battling come-from-behind 24-15 victory at North Petherton.

The home side started brightly and took the lead midway through the first quarter with a terrific try, some wonderful continuity play ending with their right wing cutting in for the opener.

The conversion was missed, but North Petherton moved further ahead before the interval as a quickly-taken line-out just inside the Army 10-metre line led to a clear run to the line and 10-0.

However, there was a significant reaction from the Red Shirts after half-time, the visitors getting themselves back into the contest with a rampaging run down the left by Cpl Vukinavanua (AAC), the wing then off-loading to LSgt Stevie George (Inf) for the No. 8 to halve the deficit.

Army then levelled matters on the back of a well-executed catch-and-drive 10 metres from the opposition line, hooker Sgt Joe Brown (RLC) firstly peeling off the set-piece before he flicked the ball to Cpl Moses Karulala (RLC) to crash over.

The Masters started to take the upper hand, but they were grateful for a sensational long-distance try which gave them the lead with around 15 minutes remaining.

Having been pinned into their own 22, they won a line-out before releasing the backline from deep and with some interlinking play and delightful off-loading, Maj Ross Catchpole (RLC) stepped off his wing to dot down under the posts after a brilliant run from 70-plus metres.

Maj Mitchel (RLC) slotted a simple kick for 17-10, and his side effectively put the contest to bed soon after when another excellent team try – featuring some strong carries and snipes around the breakdown in midfield – was finished by Karulala for his second of the evening.

Mitchel added the extras, but the contest was not over and North Petherton fought back hard to grab a third try in the closing minutes.

It was though, too little, too late for the hosts, with Masters Head Coach Capt Mark Eastley grateful for a ‘great game of rugby played with a competitive edge.’

The Masters are next due to play in the Rugby 4 Heroes event on Sunday, April 21, before IS matches against Royal Navy Mariners (Richmond, Friday, May 3) and Royal Air Force Vultures (Kingsholm, Friday, May 10).

Words © Richard Ashton

All images – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb