There were tries a-plenty for Army Senior Men in the Premiership and Pro 14 this weekend.
2021 opened with Pte Ratu ‘Siva’ Naulago (Yorks) scoring one of the quickest tries of the season, crossing with just 43 seconds on the clock to send Bristol Bears on their way to a bonus point win over Newcastle at Ashton Gate.
Newcastle battled hard throughout and were in the game for long periods, but Bristol maintained that early lead through to the final whistle.
Image © Andrew Fosker, Army Rugby Union Library
There was another try for an Army representative on Saturday, Cpl Lewis Bean (Rifles) scoring his first five-pointer for Glasgow Warriors in their Pro 14 derby with Edinburgh.
This came in the last minute of what was a tense contest at Murrayfield, but while it was a memorable moment for Cpl Bean the effort only yielded a losing bonus point for the Warriors, Edinburgh running out 10-7 winners.
There will be an opportunity for immediate revenge for the Warriors, with the teams meeting at Scotstoun on Friday evening.
Image © Craig Watson
The final game featuring an Army player was at Welford Road on Sunday, where Bath and Leicester served up a classic to warm the cockles on a chilly January afternoon.
Bath, who had LCpl Semesa Rokoduguni (Scots DG) on the wing, came blasting out of the blocks, dominating the opening quarter and scoring two unanswered tries.
However Leicester fought back in the second 20 minutes and headed into the break with a one-point deficit. The second half continued in the same vein, with the teams exchanging tries and penalties, but this time it was the Tigers who went in front soon after the resumption of play for a lead they would not give up, 36-31 the final result.
Bath host Wasps on Friday evening with Bristol heading to Exeter on Saturday afternoon.
Words © Chris Wearmouth
