Community Finals Day

1st Battalion The Royal Welsh claimed revenge and the Premiership Cup with a 25-15 success against defending champions Stormers at Aldershot.

Having been beaten 29-12 by the same opponents a year before, Welsh fell behind to a third-minute Gnr Soni Tagituimua penalty, only for Fus Aaron James to level soon after.

However, Stormers grabbed the first try in slightly odd fashion when Tagituimua’s shot at goal was fumbled into the hands of Gnr Antonio Rede, the conversion added for 10-3.

The Welsh struck back before the break though, as with their opponents reduced to 14 men following the sin-binning for centre LBdr Qilosoivalu, they spun the ball wide for Cpl Loloma to cut the deficit to two points.

And they took the lead early in the second period following a wonderful break and off-load from full-back James, his pass then going from Fus Napolioni to Fus Bulubuluwale for his centre partner to race over on the right.

A wonderful James conversion made it 15-10, although both sides then exchanged missed penalties and yellow cards – Stormers’ Gnr Vasuturaga for a high tackle and Welsh front row Fus Maravou following repeated scrum problems for his side.

A key moment followed as LBdr Qilosoivalu received a second yellow for a dangerous tackle, upgraded to red, and while James then missed a penalty, he dinked a lovely grubber kick through for his side to grab their second try.

A fine kick made it 22-10, but Stormers refused to go away quietly and gave themselves hope with a few minutes remaining when some nice handling freed Rede to double his tally.

However, Welsh were not to be denied and James slotted an injury-time penalty to seal the deal and take his personal points tally to 10 along with two assists.

The Premiership Shield was won by 17 P&M Regt RLC after they won a cracker 34-29 against 2 Rifles.

In wet and windy conditions, 11 Sig Regt ground out a 14-8 victory against the Irish Guards to claim the Knock-Out Vase.

Having survived an early missed penalty, it was Sigs who hit the front with one of their own, star man Capt Ollie Richardson on target after 16 minutes.

Gds Seru Poninese levelled shortly afterwards, and after Richardson restored his side’s lead with another penalty, Irish grabbed a narrow half-time lead as Gds Scoby Vuniyayawa powered over from close range for 8-6.

However, the Guards’ discipline waned early in the second period with a high-tackle yellow card followed by another for repeated scrum infringements.

Sigs were dominating the set-piece and had already had Cpl Saimoni Iroi held up over the line before Cpl Jotame Nalewabau peeled off the back off a scrum to power over for a three-point advantage.

Richardson extended the lead with a penalty awarded for off-side, and while his side played the last four minutes with 14 men following a sin-binning, they held on for glory.

The other two games saw UAS Hawks victorious 28-12 over the Royal Welsh Dragons in the Knock-Out Quaich, and 2 R Yorks triumph 1 PWRR 48-0 in the Spirit of Rugby.

Words © Richard Ashton

All images – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb

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