A 19-point haul from fly-half Lt Matt Smart helped 1 Yorks to a hard-fought 34-18 victory against 2 Rifles in the Army Premiership Shield Final, repelling a ferocious comeback to take the title.
The Rifles suffered an early set-back as LCpl Adrian Tuilagi was yellow-carded for a high tackle within a couple of minutes of kick-off, and Yorks hit the front shortly after as a scything burst from Pte Joeli Varo took the wing from midfield into the left-hand corner for a try expertly added to by Lt Smart.
In an intriguing clash of styles, the bigger Rifles’ side came up against opponents looking to make hay in the back line, but it was the former who reduced the deficit as a powerful maul was continued by strong carries from Rfn Harry Thornton and Rfn Lekima Ravuvu before flanker Lt Sebastian Jones got the ball down on the right.
Rfn Maik Kuruselavakabisi’s attempted conversion was held up in the wind, before Smart and his fellow kicker exchanged penalties to make it 10-8 to Yorks.
With scrum-half Pte Junior constantly looking to keep the Yorks’ tempo high, they stretched their lead before the break as full-back Pte Inoki Nakoronivalu was held up just before the line, Lt Smart collecting the ball before touching down under the posts.
The stand-off added a simple conversion, and after Rfn Ravuvu was sin-binned for leading with an elbow, another penalty gave Yorks a 20-8 half-time lead.
It was the leaders who came out of the break the stronger, and following good work from the three-quarters, Pte Nakoronivalu went over on the right, Lt Smart with another fabulous touchline conversion for what looked likely to make the rest of the contest a cruise.
Yet Rifles came firing back and took hold of the game as their strong ball-carriers began to make dents in their opponents’ defence, Rfn Ravuvu giving his side hope when powering over from a five-metre scrum.
LCpl Canini was then yellow-carded for Yorks, the Gunners making the most of their man advantage as Lt Jones doubled his tally.
The outstanding flanker was then held up over the line as Rifles continued to threaten a shock fightback, but their hopes were dashed with two minutes remaining as LCpl Sukani Naiyagi stripped the ball in a tackle just inside his own half before racing away from more than 50 metres out for the decisive try.
Lt Smart – back in Berkshire where he grew up – maintained his perfect record from the tee to complete the scoring in a hard-fought and entertaining encounter.
Words © Richard Ashton
All images – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb
