The Royal Engineers are sole custodians of top spot of the Corps Championship League 1 table going into the festive season following the latest round of results.
The Sappers hosted the Royal Logistics Corps at Medway RFC. After going behind to a LCpl Riley penalty, the Engineers crossed for the first try, Cpl Petueli on the end of a pinpoint Cpl O’Rourke crossfield kick.
There was more to come in the first half, too, when Cpl Veikune was sent into the clear following a lineout won against the throw.
But neither try was converted, meaning that when the RLC pack earned themselves a penalty try at a five-metre scrum the scores were tied at 10-10.
Late in the game a draw seemed a likely result. But the Sappers had other ideas, and when the forwards put them onto the front foot – LCpl Qaniuci involved twice with powerful runs – Spr Michael McDonald tapped a quick penalty to weave his way through the retreating RLC defence before sending the pass to Spr Johnson to score the clinching try.
This 17-10 win combined with a 24-all draw between REME and the Infantry to leave the Sappers two points clear at the top of the table with two rounds to go.
There is plenty to play for in the chase for the final, however, with the top three teams separated by just three points, REME on 12 in second and the RLC just one point behind.
In League 2 the places in the final are all-but-sealed, following wins from both the Royal Signals and Royal Artillery.
The Artillery hosted the Royal Armoured Corps and secured their place in March’s final with a comfortable 67-12 win, the Gunners continuing a perfect campaign with four bonus point wins from their four matches played.
Mathematically the second-placed Royal Signals could still be overhauled as they are 10 points clear of the RAC in second and third place respectively, but the form is very much with the Signals, who completed a bonus point win away at the Army Medical Services.
They were in complete control by half-time, tries from Josh Raqio, Joe Finnis, Brandon Kruger, Ciaran Burns and Kyle Hind helping put the Signals 31-0 in front.
AMS did score the first try of the second half, a 15-player maul driving the ball over the whitewash, but Will Dennett and Josh Strangward resumed the one-way traffic to extend the lead to 41-5.
There was a second consolation try from AMS, but also still time for two more tries from the Signals to complete a 53-10 victory.
The race to the League 3 final is more competitive, despite the Army Air Corps continuing their perfect campaign with a 55-7 win away to the Adjutant General’s Corps. This has put them clear in first place on 20 points, but the other place looks likely to be decided in January’s clash between the AGC and Royal Army Physical Training Corps, who were awarded a 20-0 walkover win over the Intelligence Corps.
There was just the one match in the Women’s Championship, and the RLC went into first place with a 38-24 win away to the AGC. With two rounds to play the RLC sit on 14 points, with REME and the Gunners close behind on 10 points.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and Featured Image – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb
