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Senior XV vs RA25 Jan 12 |
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Match Report by Maj Mark Stuart |
The RLC journeyed to Larkhill, the home of the RA, in the knowledge that a win would put them into the Corps final with one game (v REME) still to play. This enviable position should have been a sufficient spur to gain the ascendancy and put the game beyond their opponents. However, the Gunners had quite clearly turned up to win the game and looked like a very physical team. Indeed, the opening 5 minutes saw a constant barrage by the Gunners’ forwards and their sustained pressure within the RLC 22 saw them barge over for the first score of the game. The try was converted to give the RA a sound start (0-7).
The Gunners could only transgress to prevent a typical Joe Kava rampage from gaining too much ground, and the dependable Charlie Corderoy stepped up to slot the penalty over, judging the wind perfectly (3-7). The Corps established an ascendancy in the scrum, but failed to take advantage of one particular effort against the head when a lack of support left the attacker isolated. With the RLC looking to attack from every angle, the Gunners were forced to compress their space illegally leading to another penalty attempt for Charlie Corderoy. The ball sailed between the uprights to bring the Corps within one point (6-7). The RLC were now beginning to build a head of steam, with Charlie Corderoy’s boot a reliable weapon. However, fullback Gavin Ferguson and scrum half Iggy Putty were forced off at the same time through injury, leaving the Corps without 2 Army standard players. This was further exacerbated when Swanny Swann received a yellow card for attempting to thwart the Gunners’ scrum half while prostrate on the deck. The pack didn’t miss a beat though and another thunderous drive up field by Joe Kava had the Gunners’ defence scattered, leaving space for Sokiveta to display his pace during an electric burst up the left touchline. Unfortunately, the half ended when the ball was shipped forward in an attempt to score the try. The RLC pack continued to dominate proceedings and a dangerously high tackle from the Gunners’ may have halted a well orchestrated drive, but it gave Charlie Corderoy the opportunity to put the Corps in the ascendancy. The penalty was duly converted from just shy of the half way line (9-7). Under Andy Geary’s expert leadership the pack was now beginning to dominate the lineout as well as the scrum, and it was from an excellent lineout steal by the skipper that Joe Kava was presented with a route to the try line. However, the Gunners’ defence just about managed to force big Joe into touch when the white wash was within touching distance.
The RA were now definitely on the back foot, but the RLC were not quite able to break free and build a substantial lead. The opportunities were presented when a series of infringements by the Gunners provided Charlie Corderoy with kickable penalties. Inexplicably he contrived to miss 2 attempts at goal and still our lead was too narrow. However, like all quality players, redemption was right around the corner. An excellent kick and chase by Charlie Corderoy forced the RA defence to scoop the ball up and place it down over the try line, resulting in a scrum 5. With the pack now bolstered with the arrival of the “beast”, H Hendy the RLC supporters were sniffing Gunner blood. Several collapsed scrums later and the referee, his patience eroded, ventured on a journey to the posts and indicated a penalty try. The reward was nothing less than the RLC pack deserved. Charlie Corderoy wasted little time in converting (16-7). With sufficient breathing space now evident an RLC surge to the final whistle was anticipated. However, the Gunners had other ideas and launched a rapier-like counter offensive, scoring a try in the right hand corner. With the conversion missed there was still a modicum of breathing space left for the RLC (16-12). As Sir Alex Ferguson would say, we were now into squeaky bum time, which was exacerbated when Charlie Corderoy missed another penalty attempt. The Corps were playing the right game, playing for territory and forcing the Gunners onto the back foot, but were just not able to finish them off. After more great forward pressure Charlie sat back in the pocket and received quick ball just outside the RA 22. Although the brain was sharp, the execution of the kick fell just short of the required standard, leaving nails still to be chewed. By now all spectators of an RLC persuasion were pleading with the referee to blow the whistle. Of course the whistle was not forthcoming and we were left to sweat for a bit longer. That gave the RLC forwards one more attempt to demonstrate their superiority and squeeze the last vestige of hope out of the Gunners. A magnificent driving scrum left man of the match (personal opinion), Joe Kava, the simple task of touching the ball down for an emphatic conclusion to a thoroughly absorbing game (not forgetting Charlie Corderoy’s missed conversion attempt 21-12).
This match was enthralling from start to finish and a testament to the teamwork and determination of the Corps squad. The Gunners were big and direct, and gave no quarter. The RLC met them head on and did not step backwards, none more evident than Paula (choo, choo) Taukei who was on the receiving end of some thunderous collisions in midfield. Bring on the REME and then whoever wants to be on the receiving end of a rampaging RLC juggernaut at the Corps finals. |
| Tries | Conversions | Penalties | Drop Goals |
Penalty |
Corderoy |
Corderoy x 3 |
1 |
Pte Luda - 23 Pnr Regt |
12 |
Pte Taukei – 17 P&M Regt |
2 |
LCpl Thomas – 9 Sup Regt |
13 |
Cpl Swann – 23 Pnr Regt |
3 |
LCpl Sela – 13 AA Sp Regt |
14 |
LCpl Magnus – 17 P&M Regt |
4 |
Maj Geary - 3 LSR |
15 |
Pte Ferguson – 17 P&M Regt |
5 |
Lt Bolger -3 LSR |
16 |
LCpl Ceinaturaga – 27 Regt |
6 |
LCpl Rayola – 29 Regt |
17 |
LCpl Maloney – 17 P&M Regt |
7 |
LCpl Rasovo – 17 P&M Regt |
18 |
WO2 Hendy – 9 Sup Regt |
8 |
LCpl Kava – 23 Pnr Regt |
19 |
LCpl Parry – 29 Regt |
9 |
Pte Putty – 3 LSR |
20 |
Tuiteci |
10 |
LCpl Corderoy – 17 P&M Regt |
21 |
Bala |
11 |
Pte Sokiveta – 17 P&M Regt |
22 |
Luke |
