A cold Wednesday night at Stafford RFC, played host to the Masters’ vs a young, hungry, well drilled Police England (PE) team in what was already known to be the Masters’ biggest test of the season so far and it didn’t disappoint.
A frenetic opening 15 mins from both teams saw strong runs and big tackles all over the park. Veterans rugby you say? It certainly didn’t look like it. After only 8 mins the Army had a player in the bin and the score was 5-5 first a try by PE followed a short while later by a flowing Army move resulting in a try for Cpl Isireli Sema (RE) in the corner. Both try’s unconverted.
With a quarter of the match completed the Army knew they were in for a tough evening at the office. A long spell of Army defending interspersed with a few defensive errors saw the score climb to 5-17 in favour of the Police. The PE bench got vocal, the game got spicy and few of the Army players met fire with fire. With the Army struggling to contain the youthful and aggressive PE backline and ruck speed generated by their forwards the referee was called upon to issue another yellow card to the Masters. Further disruption occurred in the 32nd min when Masters No8 Sgt Paul Taura collided with a resolute PE defence resulting in him sadly being removed from the game for a cautionary concussion check.
At half time the score had increased to 5-24, but the Army were still in it, they were just struggling to find the gaps in a fierce Police defensive line. Head Coach, WO2 ‘Deano’ Lloyd-Christie issued a stern but enthusiastic half time team talk, the general feeling was positive.
A recharged PE took the field in the second half and after 10 mins they were 5-38 ahead having also had a potential try held up over the goal line. The Army used the next 20 mins to ring the changes and move personnel into their alternate roles within the team, but sadly to no avail. There was just no way through the PE defensive line! When the Army did make gains an effective PE scramble defence and reset, quickly saw them back on top.
With 4 mins to go the score was 5-60. With the game drawing to a close the Army were seeking a consolation score with some spirited runs and some hard yards being made, this forced PE to concede several penalties which gave the referee no option but to go to his pocket and give a PE player a Yellow. PE defence held out and the match ended Army 5 – Police England 60.
A tough eye opener for the Army coming up against a younger well drilled team with a great defence. PE hit some good lines which caught the Army’s defence out at times.
The score line reflected the match but did not reflect the Army’s effort and endeavour which deserved more. This police team exposed areas to work on and it was exactly what the Masters’ needed, prior to defending their Inter Services title against the Light and Dark Blue in Inter-Services. Masters will be seeking revenge next year.
Man of the match for PE Josh Buggea (Bedford Blues and PE)
Man of the match for the Army Masters Cpl Isireli Sema (RE)
Quote from Team Capt; SSgt Ben Butler. “Having not lost for a few years, this is exactly what we needed, to highlight some key areas to work on in our build up to Interservices”.
Quote from Head Coach; WO2 Dean Lloyd-Christie. “I’m proud of the boys for their endeavour, I feel we probably had a bit more to give, but onwards and upwards towards the Light Blue”.
Match report written by Capt B Sutherland, RAMC – Masters Team Manager.
All images © Alligin Photography, Scrumpix
