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Senior XV vs RE7 Dec 11 |
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Match Report by Maj Mark Stuart |
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It was a blustery day to say the least, although offset by blue skies. The strong wind and low sun would be sure to have an effect on what was expected to be a very close contest. The start of the game saw play ebb and flow and it was not until the 5th minute that the fist scoring opportunity became available. The RLC attempted to pull an RE maul down and the referee gave the Engineers the chance to settle the nerves. The chance was ultimately spurned, but it proved to be a catalyst for a period of sustained pressure for the Engineers, primarily led by their No8. A 22 drop out by the RLC was far too casual and was charged down, leading to a nervous minute as the Engineers nearly squeezed over in the right corner. It was indicative of the opening period as direct and incisive attack from the Engineers was met with robust and effective defence from the RLC. However, too many silly penalties were conceded and the Engineers missed their second attempt at points. A usual rapier-like break from Charlie Corderoy was only thwarted by foul play and the resultant penalty was kicked to touch. Unfortunately, the Engineers won the subsequent lineout and cleared their lines. The constant Engineer pressure was proving fruitless until a penalty, awarded after another infringement by the RLC, just crept over the post. 38 mins gone and the Corps were behind 0-3. The Engineers forward power was key to their domination of the game and the RLC scrum looked particularly threatened, however the defence in open play was superb and countered everything thrown at it. The first half was concluded with a 0-3 deficit. The RLC backs, who had struggled to get much ball in hand in the first half, were soon brought into the game. A superb break down the right wing was then expertly recycled and the defence opened up for Sam Montague to storm through towards the posts. He was pulled down just shy of the line, but kept his composure to wait for the on rushing support to arrive in the form of Ben Rayola, who had the simplest of tasks to fall over the try line to open the Corps account. Gavin Ferguson gratefully accepted the additional points and the RLC were now in the driving seat, leading 7-3. Although the Engineers had removed their most potent weapon (the No8) and the RLC appeared to be in the ascendancy, the game was not won. This was highlighted most succinctly when the referee penalised the Corps’ defensive line for not being 10 after a tap and go penalty. The Engineers only had to take the points on offer to be one point in arrears. However, a poor day for the Engineers’ kicker only got worse as he failed to beat the wind and threw away another three points. This profligacy was catching as the RLC also spurned the opportunity for three free points, when the Engineers failed to release the tackled player. With score tantalisingly stuck at 7-3, neither team seemed able to trouble the scoreboard. Then a potentially game altering decision by the referee saw the RLC replacement scrum-half, Iggy Putty, yellow carded for not releasing (an apparent team card for a string of needless offences). The extra man advantage did nothing to inspire the Engineers, who were still unable to create an attacking rhythm to trouble the RLC defence. This disjointed game was further disrupted when what looked like a serious injury to an Engineers forward took 10 mins to deal with. Thankfully the injured player was able to walk off the field with the help of the physio. Iggy Putty came back onto the field and was immediately involved in the best attacking move of the game. Joe Kava, from within his own half, thundered up the left touchline dragging would be tacklers with him. When he was eventually brought to ground the ball was quickly recycled and spun through the backs’ hands, with right winger Ratu sealing the Coup de Grace with a blistering turn of pace. He outstripped the cover defence to race over for the Corps’ second try and a 12-3 lead. Gavin Ferguson missed a difficult conversion, but there was now breathing space and a growing optimism that we had this one in the bag. Eating into injury time and two scores needed the RLC seemed confident of victory. However, the Engineers did not want to go out with a whimper and launched a rapier attack through midfield releasing right winger and Army winger Qasevakatini to a 2 to 1 overlap and a certain try. The winger could have raced for the line himself and probably scored, but decided to play the percentages and passed to the winger on his outside, only for Qasevakatini to spill the ball as he crossed the whitewash. The referee blew the final whistle and another hard fought contest had come to fruition, with the Corps gaining a valuable victory. Bring on the Gunners! Final Score: RLC 12 - RA 3
Squad
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