On a cold afternoon in West Cardiff, Glamorgan Wanderers RFC played host to Army Masters vs HM Prison service; a fixture that was moved from its original location of Cardiff Arms Park.
From the outset, it was clear to see there were 2 evenly matched teams on the park with much of the action being a midfield battle of two brave defences. The dead lock was broken by a HMPS penalty in the 3rd min followed by another in the 15th min 0-6. The conditions did not favour running rugby, it was slippery under foot which led to several errors from both teams. Despite an Army scrum dominance, the heavy ground and 2 days of hard training seemed to be taking its toll early on. In the 24th min LSgt Iggy Putty (WG) broke away down the right-hand side only to be tackled on the try line, resulting in the ref saying it was held up over the line. 29th min saw a mistake from an Army line-out costing the Master’s the opening try of the game, which was duly converted 0-13. After a period of midfield to-ing and fro-ing the last 5 mins of the half saw the HM Prison service camped in the Army’s 22, however strong organised defence prevented the score increasing.
0-13 down at half time. WO2 Dean Lloyd-Christie (RWxY) delivered a calm half time team talk in which the team took ownership of their first half performance.
The second half started at a frenetic pace, in the 43rd min a great backs move, broke away down the right hand side, followed by some wonderful forwards inter-play in the middle of the park; culminating in SSgt Mike Westall (QARANC) scoring under the posts for the Army’s first score, converted by WO2 Chris Harris (R Welsh) 7-13. The next 10mins were great to watch if you were a neutral, end to end and dominated by defences protecting their respective try lines. The Army still retained scrum dominance but with nothing to show for it until 55th min. A solid midfield scrum platform allowed the backs to score off phase 1 ball. SSgt Moji Naivalu (R Sigs) touched down under the posts, converted by WO2 Chris Harris (R Welsh). 14-13 and just like that the Army had the lead for the first time in the game, on the balance of play you would have to say deservedly so.
The next 10 mins nearly saw all the Army’s hard work undone by 2 yellow cards in short order. First 57th min, LSgt Iggy Putty (WG) for an illegal (try saving) body check. The ref awarded a penalty, which was converted 14-16. If I was playing for HM Prison Service I would have hoped and expected a penalty try. 61 mins in saw SSgt Moji Naivalu (R Sigs) get what can only be described as a harsh yellow card. The tackle looked very good from all quarters; perhaps the resulting BOOM from what was a big collision had already made the refs mind up. Despite playing the next 6 minutes with 13 men, it was the Army that went on the offensive, 64th min saw a missed Army penalty this was immediately followed by a HM Prison Service 22 Drop out, returned with interest straight up the middle by LSgt Stevie George (WG), a quick recycle allowed a try to be scored by Cpl Gus Smith (RLC), the conversion attempt hit the post 19-16. With the Army restored to 15 players for the last ten minutes and the Prison Service looking for a score, it was a turnover and marauding run down the centre of the park by WO2 Moses Navunisaravi (Rifles) that eventually saw Sgt Sunia Taganekurukuru (Scots DG) score in the 77th min, converted by Man of the Match WO2 Chris Harris (R Welsh). 26-16. The last 2 mins passed event free and at the final whistle the Army knew they had been in a proper game, a game that sets the conditions for the remainder of the season leading up to the Inter-Services. It was most definitely a game of two halves.
Final Score 26-16
Tries: Westall, Naivalu, Smith, Taganekurukuru
Cons: Harris 3
Pens:
Quote from Head Coach WO2 Dean Lloyd-Christie (RWxY): “The players had a tough time in their first outing back after the new year and after some tough contact training sessions, which showed in the first half playing on a very sticky pitch. But to be losing 0-13 at HT and to come back like they did to win 26-16 showed a lot of courage. Overall, I am very happy with the progress towards this year’s IS campaign”
Quote from Team Captain SSgt Ben Butler (RLC): “A privilege for me to be the ARU Masters team captain for the 2021/22 season and a great way to start the year beating a tough HM Prison Services team, in what was a hard-fought game. We had a few hard days build up training prior to the fixture so the legs were heavy all round. But to come back from 13 points down, showed the character of the team. Overall, very pleased with the result, however lots to work on in preparation for IS 22. This result has given us a good starting point”
Match report written by Capt Brad Sutherland, Masters Team Manager
All images © Army Rugby Union
