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When: 16 Sep -09
Who: Inter Corps XVs
Where:Aldershot
Result: Won 3 -0 v RLC |
When: 23 Sep 09
Who: Mini Fern Cup
Where: Waterbeach
Result: 28 Engr Regt |
When: 7 Oct 09
Who: The R Sigs
Where: Chatham
Result: Won 44 -14 |
When: 21 Oct 09
Who: Cambridge Uni Where: Cambridge
Result: Won 29 -8 |
When: 18 Nov 09
Who: The Gunners
Where: Chatham
Result: Won 16 -8 |
When: 9 Dec 09
Who: The RLC
Where: Marchwood
Result: Lost 22 -28 |
When: 20 Jan 10
Who: REME
Where: Arborfield
Result: |
When: 3 Mar 10
Who:
The Infantry
Where: TBC
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When: 31 Mar 10
Who: Corps Final
Where: Aldershot
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Sapperrugby v The Royal Signals - Wednesday 7 October 2009 |
The Royal Engineers began their 2009/10 Merit League Campaign by hosting the Royal Signals at Chatham, a team who gave them a good contest in last years corresponding fixture. New team Head Coach Gareth Evans had a strong squad in which to pick his starting XV, the likes of which included regulars such as team Captain Ben Hughes as well as 'Nakka' Nacamavuto, who made a welcome return in the centre having missed out last year due to injury. Another new addition was Australian Army A Prop Geoff Rowland.
Not long after kick off the heavens opened which made for an extremely difficult game for both sides who struggled under foot as well as with handling the ball.
It was the home side who started the brighter, maintaining possession in their opponents half for much of the opening few minutes. From the outset the Sappers looked to have the advantage at the scrum with the new combination of Rowland, Windle and Young providing a solid base from which the backs could take advantage. It was from such a scrum in which the first try came as Ledua Jope broke away from the back fending off several players as he stormed into the Signals 22’ to pop up the ball to the supporting Danny Cootes who ran in for an easy try. |
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| The Sappers complimented their attacking flair with some excellent defence as well, putting pressure on their opponents and forcing mistakes at key moments. From winning a lineout just inside the Sapper half the Signals backs were forced into a mistake thanks to good pressure from an on rushing defence who recovered a loose kick allowing Joe Jope to once again run at the opponents, showing an excellent burst of speed down the far touchline. This time it was scrum half Zac Vakasawaqa who provided good support as he recieved the pass from Jope allowing him to run in under the posts untouched, from which Danny Cootes added the conversion. |
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| It wasn’t long before the Sappers were once again in their opponent’s half setting up a scoring opportunity. Following several phases of rugby a quick change of direction gave the backs an overlap on the far side from which they showed excellent handling skills, in particular from Cootes, which allowed Rhydian Slade-Jones to score in the corner. That finished the scoring for the first half as the Sappers went into the break leading 24-6. The only sour note was that Captain Ben Hughes had to come off mid way through the half as he suffered a cut to the eye, Gareth Libbey (backwards shorts and all) replaced him. |
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The rain was relentless as both sides made their way out for the second half, which would result in several handling errors throughout the final forty minutes. Head coach Gareth Evans made just the one change at half time as Darrell Ball replaced Joe Ulikedekede. The Sappers went on the offensive from the opening kick off forcing a bad kick from the Signals fly half from deep inside his own 22’, from which Ledua Jope made a piercing run straight through the defence, cleverly flicking the ball behind him for Knoxy Lacquero to score under the posts. Evans made a few more changes through the second half bringing on Ken Davey at fly half following his impressive display in the Corps Competition. Auld, Erasmus and Deeming also featured for the final twenty minutes. |
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The home side continued to increase their tally following a steal from their opponents line out just outside the Signals 22’. From here Zac Vakasawaqa moved the ball quickly across the field stretching the defence. Fraser Deeming almost added the score under the posts pulling in several defenders, but following quick ball and more good handling it was Gus Qasavakatini who crossed over for the score in the corner getting a deserved try. |
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| The Sappers finished off their scoring in great style crossing over for one last try. This time it was Nakka Nacamavuto scoring on his return to the side following a neat inside hand off from Ken Davey from which ‘Naca’ cut through the defence superbly for the try. |
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Despite the score and the conditions the Signals persevered and managed to cross over for a try of their own in the final few minutes. Thanks to hard work from their forwards inching the ball closer to the Sapper try line, they got a score on the board.
Overall it was a successful return to Merit League action for the Sappers who, despite the conditions, turned in a good performance in both attack and defence. Several players stood out including debutant Geoff Rowland, Ledua Jope and Knoxy Lacquero. Final score 44 – 14 to the Sappers . After the game Sapper Head Coach Gareth Evans said; “It was an excellent performance from the team in very difficult conditions playing against a good Royal Signals side who, at times, caused us problems. Whilst we would have liked to have scored a few more points following our possession and territory we’re happy with the win.” |
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Man of the Match – Geoff Rowland.
Geoff produced an excellent display in the tight five on debut for the UK Sappers, in the front row and around the pitch he was a real powerhouse in less than ideal conditions (Monsoon).
Sapperrugby – 1. Geoff Rowland 2.Garry Windle 3. Nathan Young 4. Ralph Cooke 5. Joe Uluikedekede 6. Noxy Laqekoro 7. Joe Jope 8. Ben Hughes (skipper) 9.Andy Gill 10. Danny Cootes 11. Gavin Clegg 12.Pecili Navacamuto 13. Wes Wessells 14. Gus Vasvacantini 15. Rhydian Slade Jones 16. Raz Erasmus 17. Jon Auld 18. Chris Clifford 19 Andy Gill 20. Ken Davey 21. Darrell Ball 22. Gareth Libbey
Director of Rugby Rich Garrett, Manager Tim Poole, Kit Mark Westklake & Frankie Brough, Coaching Staff Gareth Evans, Vic Reeves & Mike Thomas.
Reported by Jonathan Fowke Thanks to a very wet Garry Cootes for the great photos |
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Sapperrugby v Cambridge University XV - Wednesday 21 October 2009 |
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Head coach Gareth Evans made ten changes to the team that defeated the Royal Signals at Chatham earlier in October; on a mild Wednesday in Cambridge the Sappers started their preparation for the annual Gunner game in November. The opposition was a Cambridge University XV picked from the new freshers that may run out at Twickenham in a year against Oxford. The Sappers welcomed back Wes Tomson at scrum half, Tom Price in the second row along with several players returning from injury including Shelfords Richie Warmington. Taniela Bakoso who is setting the grass on fire at Reading had a fine debut with some powerful running from deep. Centre Gerhard Wessells was given the honour of skippering the team for the first time, a great reflection of his contribution to Corps and Army rugby and Raz Erasmus took the opportunity as pack leader and put in a fine performance at no 2.
The first half was a very evenly matched encounter and both teams tested each other in light rain, just before the interval Sapper fly half Rhydian Slade Jones kicked a penalty but it was Cambridge that went into the changing room at half time in front when they scored a try from the back of a line out close in. |
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The sappers started the second half with a much more focused effort, the forwards were making yardage against a fiery Cambridge eight and the three quarters were driving forward making good space. Ledua Jope crossed the line from close in twice and Chris Clifford again showed his value by crossing to score. Rhydian Slade Jones showed his summer experience playing at fly half for the Army rugby leage team was not wasted. He produced an exquisite rounded display; his kicking from the ground was outstanding, he was the Sapperrrugby man of the match, well done.
Sapperrugby – 1. Chris Clifford 2.Raz Erasmus 3. Jon Auld 4. Rob Taylor 5. Tom Price 6. Matt Roberts 7. Rich Warmingtom 8. Joe Jope 9.Wes Tomson 10. Rhydian Slade Jones 11. Junior Wailatu 12.Pecili Navacamuto 13. Wes Wessells 14. Doug Dougles 15. Gus Vasvacantini 16. Nathan Young 17. Jeff Rowland 18. Ben Hughes 19 Noxy Veikune 20. Zac Vakasawaqa 21. Taniela Bakoso
Director of Rugby Rich Garrett, Manager Tim Poole, Kit Mark Westklake & Frankie Brough, Coaching Staff Gareth Evans, Vic Reeves & Mike Thomas.
Video by Jonathan Fowke Thanks to Garry Cootes for the great photos |
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