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When: 19 Mar 08
Who: RLC
- U - Final
Where: Aldershot
Result: Won
- 36 - 11 |
When: 18
July 06
Who: Lawson
Cup Final
Where: Aldershot
- RAC
Result: - Won
48 - 28 |
When: 10 Sep 08
Who:VT Comp
Where: Aldershot
Result: Won
22 - 17 |
When: 1 Oct 08
Who: R Signals
Where: Colerne
Result:Won
37 - 10 |
When: 29 Oct 08
Who: The Gunners
Where: Larkhill
Result:Won
41 - 3 |
When: 19 Nov 08
Who: Infantry
Where: Chatham
Result:Won
53 - 7 |
When: 3 Dec 08
Who: REME
Where: Chatham
Result:Won
51 - 8 |
When: 21 Jan 09
Who: RLC
Where: Chatham
Result:Won
35 - 25 |
When:18 Feb 09
Who:REME - U - Final
Where:Aldershot
Result:Won
28 - 8 |
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Sapperrugby v The REME- Wednesday
18 Febuary 2009
The Army Corps Championship Final 2009
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The Aldershot Rugby stadium was the venue for a historic moment in Army Corps rugby on Wednesday as it witnessed the Royal Engineers become the first Corps side to win an unprecedented three consecutive Championships.
The Engineers fielded an exceptionally strong side filled with a number of Army first XV players, including Full Back Eugene Viljoen, who played his last game for the Sappers before his return home to South Africa.
The game was not a classic, but both sides showed glimpses of rugby worthy of a Final. The Engineers used all of their experience on the field riding out strong attacks by the REME and striking at the most important times to grind out a tough win. |
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From the opening kick off it was the REME who piled the pressure on their opponents straight away. They enjoyed most of the opening 10 minutes possession and looked the more likely to open the scoring. They did so after launching an attack from deep in their own half; passing the ball out wide to make the most of their backs’ speed and chip over the last defender, resulting in a foot race to ground the ball over the try line.
The early score seemed to kick start the Engineers who launched an immense attack of their own keeping their opponents pinned down deep in their own territory. Following a lineout from James Erasmus inside the REME 22’ the Sappers put together an attack which lasted over 20 phases, with Makau Koroiyadi and Darrell Ball leading the way carrying the ball, eventually penetrating the stubborn REME defence for Fly Half Stu Butters to level the score.
It wasn’t long before the Sappers began to show why they were Champions as they began mounting sustained attacks against the REME using their superior strength in the back row to drive closer to the try line. A neat interchange between Viljoen and Hoyte on the wing allowed ‘Bokka’ to score in the corner, leaving his mark on his final game with the Corps. |
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The barrages of attacks were not over with yet as the Sappers kept advancing towards the REME try line. Sensing some of their opponents starting to tire the Engineers looked to enhance their lead further, and they did so when Stu Butters crossed the try line for his second score of the game. Again the Sappers made the most of their size advantage upfront with Ledua Jope carrying the ball well towards the try line to help set up the score.
The Sappers had by no means hit their stride however they had taken control of the game, leading 17-5, it could and should have been an even bigger lead; however handling errors cost them a chance at adding more points. Time also counted against the Engineers as the half time whistle blew, much to the REME ’s relief. |
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The second half started much like the first with the REME again coming out strong, however mistakes let them down as both sides struggled handling the ball due to the moist conditions.
The REME did enjoy some success in the scrum during the early periods of the second half pushing the Sappers onto the back foot, REME skippr Cam Cameron had a great game. The Engineer’s countered this however bringing in some fresh faces of their own as Garry Windle and make shift prop Luke Rockavada sured up the front row. Coach Andy Sanger also brought on scrum half ‘Zak’ Vakasawaka who produced some great darting runs, skipping through tackles to set up attacking ball.
The second half was error ridden with both sides making mistakes and giving away penalties, resulting in a stop-start half with no flow. The two sides exchanged penalty kicks with Sapper Fly Half Stu Butters converting on both attempts midway through the half; leaving the score 23-8.
The REME team had put up a great display against the Sappers throughout the majority of the game, but as time wore down so did they and the Engineers looked to end the match with a flourish.
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After intercepting a pass Skipper Ben Hughes led his team on one last attack. Zak Vakasawaka set up Noxy Hoyt to run the ball down the sideline through the defence. Noxy Laqekoro then took over pounding the ball, and off loaded to Koroiyadi who skipped through a tackle and then brilliantly off loaded on his way to the ground back to Noxy Hoyt who finished off an excellent move, sealing the win in appropriate style, much to the delight of the large Sapperrugby fan base in the Stadium.
Despite not being at their best the Engineers showed why they were Champions three years in a row, by taking their opportunities and producing excellent defence when it matters most. Their experience showed through in abundance as inspirational Skipper Ben Hughes led from the front and his confidence spread throughout the team as the Engineers completed a Hat-Trick of Corps Championships, beating the REME 28-8.
The team said farewell to two further die hards of the management team, Manager Chris Fowke and Head Coach Andy Sanger both stepping down after many years working closely together. For links to the 'Inches' and 'If' pre game DVDs click on the names. To view additional photographs, 'click here'
Reported By J. Fowke, Pictures by Gary Cootes, Roger Thompson and Tom Redfern
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Man of the Match – Darrell Ball, Everywhere you looked on the pitch Darrell was there in either attack or defence, a true professional; congratulations.
Sapperrugby – 1. Chris Clifford 2.James Erasmus 3. John Auld 4. Ben Hughes (Skipper) 5. Ralph Cooke 6.Makau Koraydi 7. Darrell Ball 8.Joe Jope 9.Andy Gill 10. Stu Butters 11. Noxy Hoyt 12.Danny Cootes 13. Wes Wessells 14. Fraser Deeming 15. Bokka Viljeon 20.Garry Windle 17. Mojee Matau 18.Luke Rocavarda. 16. Richie Warmington 21.Zac Vakasawaka 22. Noxy Laqekoro 19. Gareth Libbey.
Director of Rugby Rich Garrett, Manager Chris Fowke, Kit Mark Westlake & Frankie Brough, Physio Kylie Conway, Sam Emery, Ant Marx. Coaching Staff Andy Sanger & Gareth Evans. |
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