Army Men Dev 26 - 31 British Police

A strong second-half comeback from an Army Men Development XV was not quite enough as they went down 31-26 at British Police.

It was the home side who took an early lead on the 4G pitch at Stourbridge, the Army pinged for a breakdown infringement 25 metres out leaving Scott Jones the easiest of penalties.

However, the Red Shirts could have replied almost immediately, skipper Sgt Matt Dawson (Int Corps) providing a lovely out-the-back off-load to set Cpl Josiah Roqio (11 Sig Regt) slicing through in midfield before the ball was knocked out five metres from the try line.

Further chances came and went for the visitors as they had a maul stopped short before being held up over the line, but they finally crossed the whitewash from the resulting drop-out.

It was Dawson who claimed the restart before carrying strongly and off-loading nicely to fellow back row LCpl Onisivoro Nayagi (1 R Yorks) to further the charge towards the line.

And while he was stopped, the ball was spread left before a lovely inside pass sent wing LCpl Phil Graham (32 Engr Regt) on an arcing run which ended under the posts.

Cpl Ethan Riley (RLC RHQ) had the easiest of conversions before Pte Olly Butterworth (2 PARA) turned goal-line defence into attack with a sweeping 60-metre break only ended by a penalty.

After the hosts kicked to touch, another sizzling run from scrum-half Rfn Vili Salusalu (5 Rifles) saw him go from just inside his own half well into the Police’ 22, and following plenty of patient work through the phases, he sniped over for another converted try.

A disastrous final 10 minutes of the first period would prove costly for Army, though, their opponents running in three converted tries to take a grip on the game.

Firstly, a Jones 50-22 gave his side field position five metres from the visitors’ line, and when the ball was moved left, Geraint Llewelyn was able to hold off a couple of would-be tacklers to touch down for a score added to by Jones.

Another swiftly followed some spectacular handling among forwards and three-quarters alike, Llewelyn this time turning the provider as he laid on the simplest of finishes for fellow wing Shaun Pearce.

And with almost the final play of the half, Police turned the screw further as Jake Baldry burrowed over from close range, another Jones kick making it 24-14 to the home side.

Army enjoyed a dream start to the second period and gave themselves hope, though, as prop Lt Douglas McGregor-Smith (174 (PRO) COY) proved too strong to stop from close range, Riley making it a three-point game.

Police regathered themselves, however, and moved further in front when Pearce picked up a loose ball knocked back from a five-metre line-out to dance through the Army defence for his second.

With Jones again adding the extras it was 31-21, but Army kept themselves in the contest early in the final quarter as an unstoppable maul marched across the line.

Much of the remainder of play was in midfield, though the Red Shirts gained good territory as a strong carry from replacement Spr Vili Tabuatamata (28 Engr Regt) ended with a penalty on the five-metre line.

However, they took a tap penalty rather than going to the corner before a long miss-pass went forward, and while Police had some more defending to do, they ultimately closed out a hard-fought win.

Army are in action again tomorrow as they visit Championship outfit Nottingham (7.45pm).