Match Reaction - Masters Corps competition important for teamwork and camaraderie

MASTERS final man-of-the-match Lorima Waqa reiterated how important the competition is after the Royal Engineers’ dramatic late 22-17 win against REME helped them claim the Corps Championship.

The Sappers’ opponents had gone unbeaten through the pool stages and would have taken the honours if the game had remained level at 17-17, but WO2 Yaz Yaravoli’s late score – his second of the afternoon to go with one from No. 8 Ilaitia Rocavasiga – proved the decisive blow as RE took the title.

A delighted Lorima began: “It’s been a long time coming and we’re very happy we won – we’ve worked hard for the past two weeks with the game against the Gunners and then preparing for the final. I think we did very well and dedicate the win to the guys who had their last game for us as they leave the service.

“It was down to teamwork – we had to go through the phases which we knew was the way to get forward, and then luckily the ball was spun wide and I had my wing outside to complete a double for him.”

Going into the final as underdogs having won only two of their six games before, Waqa said his side always had belief as he paid tribute to their opponents, continuing: “Two of the games we lost this season were to REME, but the second was very tight (30-27) so we knew we could edge them on Finals Day with the firepower we had.

“It was a tight one, so fair play to them because they really did push us to the limit. It was back-and-forth, we started well with a try, then they came back and they had a very good kicker so we knew if we gave any penalties near the posts he would get them, so we tried to keep them as far away as possible.”

With the game played in great spirit on a day with five finals taking place in Aldershot, Lorima close by highlighting the key role the Over-35s game has as he said: “Masters rugby is so important – it goes back to the Service and how we work as a team.

“We’ve done our time playing in the Senior competition, but it’s good to keep the teamwork, camaraderie and bringing the guys together playing rugby which keeps up the fitness and chance to lead by example.”

Words © Richard Ashton

All images – Alligin Photography © Andrew Fosker

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