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Just over a month had passed since the Royal Engineers suffered their first defeat in more than three years to the hands of the RLC at Marchwood. All eyes were firmly focused on the three times Merit League champions, and many questions were asked throughout the Army Rugby circuit over the Christmas break as to if the Engineers would live up to their title and bounce back with a convincing win against the REME whom the Sappers beat in last seasons final in Aldershot.
Convincing it may not have been, the team is not firing on all cylinders; but a win was the most important thing as the referee blew the final whistle on a mud soaked frozen afternoon at Arborfield to close out a 15-9 victory for the Sappers; the score did not reflect the possession REME had in the second half, 85% of the time camped in the Sappers half in the second 40 minutes, true grit and the determination of the team in muddy maroon and navy that didn’t want their name and badge to suffer more defeat only allowed the REME 3 points in that period. |
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There were a few promising moments to take from the game; Taniela Bakoso recently selected by Army coach Andy Price to be part of the Army senior squad continued his superb record of scoring in every game since making his debut against Cambridge earlier in the season with a score in the first period. Vee Veikune also impressed in the back row on his first team debut for the Engineers. The Sapper defence was also inspiring, keeping out a relentless REME attack throughout the game, even after losing a man to the sin bin during the second half.
Both sides looked to make the best of what were awful conditions, very cold, heavy sleet and a heavy pitch with a slippery ball made it difficult but it was the REME who had the first opportunity to open the scoring within five minutes, however Army Full Back Ceri Cummings’ effort was just wide. Cummings has matured much over the last 12 months and he is now a very skilful player at both codes.
The Sappers then went on the offensive themselves, mounting an attack from a scrum deep inside the REME half, from which they shipped the ball out spreading the REME defence across the pitch. After the home side closed any potential gaps the Sappers spread the ball to the other flank shipping the ball quickly to Bakoso whose pace left the REME defence clutching at air as he went over in the corner for the opening score of the game, 0-5 to the Sappers. |
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After some exchanges in play the REME got their chance to get on the score board as Cummings slotted a penalty through from in front of the posts to reduce the lead to 3-5. Soon after some more ill discipline the REME received another penalty which was again converted for the REME to take the lead 6-5.
The home side were now beginning to get into the game and enjoyed prolonged spells with the ball in their opponents half. Their attacks however amounted to nothing as they were let down by handling errors brought about by the driving sleet and rain. |
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The Sappers were not without chances of their own, however their speedy backs; Bakoso and Qasavakatini, also found the conditions tough to deal with losing their footing on several occasions resulting in their attacks losing momentum and breaking down.
The Engineers were given the opportunity to retake the lead however when Danny Cootes slotted home a penalty mid way through the first half, 6 - 8.
The away side managed to increase their lead in the dying seconds of the first half, against the run of play, as fly half Stu Butters intercepted a loose pass and played a nice one-two with Vee Veikune to by-pass one defender. Butters then offloaded to Danny Cootes to beat the remaining REME defender to go under the posts giving the Sappers a flattering 6-15 lead going into half time. |
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The REME came out in the second half determined to take it to their opponents following a good display in the first half. They set out to attack from the opening whistle and pinned down the Sappers deep in their own half. The early pressure was rewarded as the referee awarded the home side a penalty in front of the posts, which was easily slotted over by the impressive Cummings. 9-15.
For the majority of the second period the Sappers couldn’t even get out of their own half as they faced attack after attack by the REME. Some of the defensive play will be required to be addressed, there is a time to run from your 22 and a time to kick long, that point requires to be reinforced before the next run, the Sapper defence stood firm however repelling everything their opponents had to offer, even when their defence was stretched to the max after the sin bining of prop John Auld mid way through the half the REME could not find a gap through to breech the line.
As the minutes wound down it looked more and more likely that the Sappers would hold on for the victory and, boosted by the return of Auld, they finally managed to get into REME territory and launch an attack of their own. Substitutes Gill and Ball both made a good impact to help spark the team into life as the away side finished positively. The REME proved just as difficult to break down as the Sappers had been earlier as they kept out their opponents. |
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There was to be no more scoring as time expired and the Sappers came away with the win, much to their relief, the look of disappointment from the REME players who had given their all could not be hidden. Whilst there were a couple of positives to be taken from the game, the scrum at last looked to be a powerful force but the Engineers will look to improve much for their final Merit League game against the Infantry in an evening kick off at London Irish base in Sudbury in the hopes of returning to the Merit League Final, that’s not a given though. |
Man of the Match – The Sapperrrugby defence in the second half, pride......
Sapperrugby – 1. Chris Clifford 2.Nathan Young 3. Rick Reeve 4. Rob Taylor 5. Ralph Cooke 6.Vee Veikune 7. Gareth Libbey 8. Ben Hughes (Skipper) 9. Zac Vakasawaka 10. Stu Douglas 11. Taniela Bakoso 12.Danny Cootes 13.Ves Wessells 14.Gavin Clegg 15.Gus Qasevakatini 16. Jon Auld 17.Darrell Ball 18.Andy Gill
Director of Rugby Rich Garrett, Manager Tim Poole, Coaching Staff Gareth Evans and Vic Reeve. Thanks to Garry Cootes for the great photographs and Jonathan Fowke for video highlights |
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