The Army U23s come from behind to see out victory over Esher Cardinals

In a thrilling encounter at Esher RFC, the Army U23s staged a stunning second-half comeback to defeat the Esher Cardinals 33-29 in the final play of the game. This match was part of the Army U23s’ preparations for their upcoming Inter Service Championship defence against the RAF and Royal Navy in November.

Esher Cardinals took command in the first half, showcasing a dominant display of attacking rugby. Their ability to capitalize on possession and exploit gaps in the Army defence saw them storm to a 22-5 lead by halftime. The Cardinals’ strong forward play and clinical finishing put them in a commanding position, while the Army U23s struggled to maintain defensive structure, managing only a single try in response.

The second half, however, was a completely different story. The Army U23s, clearly determined to turn things around, came out firing, gradually eating into the Cardinals’ lead. Their powerful running, coupled with improved cohesion in attack, allowed them to claw their way back into the contest. Esher Cardinals continued to battle and added to their score, but the momentum had swung towards the Army side.

As the clock wound down, the game hung in the balance with the score at 29-26 in favour of Esher. But in the dying seconds, the Army U23s managed to secure possession and push their way up the field, eventually crossing the try line to steal a dramatic 33-29 victory with the final play.

The Army U23s will take great confidence from this comeback victory as they continue their preparations for the Inter Service Championship next month. Our thanks to our hosts Esher RFC and their Cardinals team who provided a stern test for the Army who will take great character and resilience away from the encounter.

The U23s are back in action in a couple of weeks time v Reading Rams on Wednesday 30^th October, location and kick off time TBC – keep up to date with fixture news via our website.