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The Army Men’s Senior Squad kicked off a big week with a 33-21 win over a Blackheath XV on Tuesday evening.

Head Coach Lt Col Tim Osman changed the entire starting XV from that which kicked off against the British Police a fortnight ago for the first match in a four-day spell which also includes a run-out against Oxford University Greyhounds on Friday.

Blackheath also used the evening as an opportunity to expose their squad to new opposition, and it was the Club’s greater cohesion which saw them get the first points, repeated pick-and-go drives from the forwards yielding a try.

However the Army gave as good as they got up front, a powerful maul pulling in defenders and creating a blindside which was exploited by inside centre OCdt Kelly (RMAS), who span out of the final tackle to dive over.

Skipper Sgt Connor O’Reilly (RA) was next to score at the start of the second quarter, hitting a short running line off scrum-half Spr McDonald (RE). The position was set up by a lovely cross-field kick from Tpr Vunivosa (QDG) to Pte Ratulaveta (RLC) and patience from LCpl Riley (RLC) which kept the move alive.

The third try was an absolute peach as the Army showed their intent to attack from anywhere. Turnover ball on their own try line was spun through the hands to LBdr Fitzgerald (RHA). The winger may have still been on his 22, but the confidence was clear and a combination of dummies, sidesteps, hand-offs, and flat out speed took him over the whitewash.

Blackheath responded before half-time through experienced prop, Luc Jeannot, and took that momentum into the second half, too, wing Isaiah Akpovwa putting the hosts into the lead once again.

The Army regained the momentum in some style, Gnr Laudola (RA) on hand to take a scoring pass from Pte Ratulaveta, the winger having been put into space in a kick-return. And the contest was sealed by Spr McDonald, who was put away by neat interplay between Tpr Vunivisa and Sgt O’Reilly down the left wing.

The red shirts head to Oxford on Friday afternoon. Kick off at Iffley Road is 1500hrs.

Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks.  Header image © Alligin Photography

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