Player-of-the-Match Sam Matavesi hailed his Royal Navy side’s ‘incredible’ victory after they beat British Army 37-33 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to secure the Inter Service Championship title.
The Army made a dream start and hit the front in the sixth minute as the ball came loose on their opponents’ 22, Senitiki Nayalo hoovering up to dot down under the posts before Jack Johnson added the extras.
Their rivals replied at the back end of the first quarter however, replacement Ben Mallett – on for hooker Rhys Williams – finding space to dart over from close range.
Jake Hanley was off target from the tee, and soon after Nayalo doubled his tally following a searing 30-metre break from back row colleague Matt Dawson.
Johnson slotted for 14-5, but the ebb-and-flow nature of the contest continued as Jamin Hoffman cut a glorious diagonal line to dive over, Hanley’s kick making it a two-point game just before the half-hour mark.
There were no more scores before the break, but Navy grabbed the lead seven minutes into the second period, a powerful rolling maul setting the platform for Ratu Vakalutukali powering over following a series of phases.
Hanley made no mistake, yet the Red Shirts went back in front shortly after, Solodrau Radianirova scooping up a Frank Kelly off-load before showing some mesmerising footwork to dance his way across the whitewash.
Johnson’s conversion made it 21-19 midway through the third quarter, Hanley’s 40-metre penalty attempt from the restart then just falling short.
The fly-half made amends soon after, however, Navy’s pack power earning another shot from just inside the 22.
The Blues pulled further clear on 62 minutes as the outstanding Matavesi was only illegally stopped at the back of another maul, a penalty try awarded as replacement Army prop Gareth Smith was sent to the sin-bin.
Matavesi produced a brilliant interception to sprint over in the left-hand corner from 30 metres out for a deserved score, Hanley’s attempt drifting left to leave his side 34-21 to the good.
Yet the Red Shirts refused to yield and gave themselves hope with an immediate reply, Nathaniel Titchard-Jones blasting over for a converted score.
However, another scrum penalty for Navy was landed by Hanley, the thrill-a-minute denouement then seeing Cameron McDonald collect Johnson’s cross-kick to pull his side within four heading into the final play.
But they were unable to repeat last year’s incredible comeback as a breakdown penalty sealed the deal for Navy, with Matavesi commenting: “It feels incredible. It was hard in the heat, and we said at the start it was going to take all 23 players to get it done because we were against quality opposition.
“It’s massive to win, and as I get older to play at places like this is brilliant – the atmosphere is insane.
“There were nerves at the end because of what happened last year and knowing how dangerous Army are – we kicked long but know they can still score from anywhere
“The game was up-and down, but we grafted, stayed at it and I’m so happy.”
He added: “It’s three months effort from the squad, the hard work of 45-50 players and the coaches, lots of games, lots of travel, and it means so much because I think our head coach Dave Pascoe has only won it five times in 26 years as a player and coach – it shows how hard it is.”
Meanwhile, Hanley – whose boot also proved pivotal in the Round One victory against Royal Air Force, said: “I’m relieved! I missed a couple of kicks but got the pressure ones – ,it was a good game of rugby and I’m proud of the boys.
“We managed the game well at the end and to come through with the win is brilliant, because they don’t come easy.
“We put a huge shift in and we’ll enjoy it.”
Reflecting on how pleased he was for lightning not to strike twice at the death, he said: “We’ve got some experienced guys with 25 to 30 caps, guys playing at a high level and we got in the right areas.
The Army now have to switch their attention to the Royal Air Force, who they will face at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, on Saturday, 17 May. Book tickets now at www.eticketing.co.uk/gloucesterrugby
Words © Inter Service Championship
All images © Army Rugby Union – Alligin Photography
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