| The Royal Engineers (Heroes and Villains) flew from London Heathrow on Thu 6 May and landed in Boston in early evening, after transfering to their hotel in Newton, Friday was spent running the jet lag out before a tough game against a Boston Irish Wolfhounds select team on Saturday 8 May kicking off at 1300hrs at the Irish Cultural Centre, nr New Boston Drive.
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The training happened on a couple of pitches in the local area while the local schools played baseball and school games. The team trained well in the heat and have recovered well from the jet lag. The team selection was hard with so many players making themselves available for the tour. The only player to miss out on selection was Darrell Ball who was recovering from the Army v Navy game. The team were very focused for the first game and had a pre game meal on the Friday evening.
Mike Thomas (Coach) |
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The continued professional attitude of the players and the remainder of the tour party is pleasing to witness. The difficulties of training pitch availability was very quickly overcome and the forward and back units completed a focussed and successful session. |
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The subsequent team run, again in limited space, was done at just the right tempo. The squad went into Saturdays game with a relaxed but determined intent which was where we wanted to be.
Richard Garrett (Director of Rugby/Coach). |
Royal Engineers v Boston Irish Wolfhounds Saturday 8 May 2010 |
The Boston Irish Wolfhounds hosted the Royal Engineers Rugby Club in game one of their tour to Boston, MA. Having been in the country for less than 48 hrs the 'Sappers' had trained in the heat on Friday, however the weather on Saturday was very Irish. Torrential monsoon rain, thunder storms with standing water made the opening exchanges difficult. The Wolfhounds showed they were happy to spin the ball wide and the Sappers were keen to do the same, a slippery ball however made it difficult to build phases of play. |
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| On 13 minutes however Gus Qasevakatini splashed over to score and Danny Cootes converted. 3 minutes later Peceli Navacamuto burst through and with Danny Cootes adding the extra points the Sappers looked comfortable. The rain eased and the Wolfhound found their stride, on 22 minutes a good backs move had them running in their first points and with the conversion good we had a game on. Both teams looked to build forward dominance but the half ended without any further score. |
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| The second half started with the Wolfhounds converting a penalty to make the difference 4 points and both teams new the next score would be vital, it was the Engineers wing Baks Bakoso that stretched the lead with a try in the corner, five minutes later fly half Stu Butters clearance kick was charged down and the Wolfhounds grounded under the posts and with the conversion good we were at 17 - 19. |
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| The Sappers started to use their quick backs and after front row forward Nathan Young had scored Peceli Navacamuto scored his second with a fine individual run and Junior Wailutu and Army player of the season Ves Wessells rounded off the game to take the final score to 43 - 17. The score didn't reflect the effort the Wolfhounds put in and lead by their inspirational skipper at 8 showed why rugby in the Boston area is as good as it is. We thank the Boston Irish Wolfhounds for their hospitality after the match; the club ethos they are building after 20 years in an area where the major US sports will always dominate is a credit to their club. |
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| Sapperrugby – 1. Ricky Reeves 2.Garry Windle 3. Nathan Young 4. Rob Taylor 5. Ralph Cook 6. Noxy Laqekoro 7. Gareth Libbey 8. Ben Hughes (skipper) 9. Zac Vakasawaqa 10. Tom Best 11. Gus Qasevakatini 12. Ves Wessells 13.Peceli Navacamuto 14. Boks Bakoso 15. Danny Cootes 16. Gus Rule 17. Lee Wagner 18. Mark Eastley 19. Ritchie Warmington 20. Vee Viekune 21. Stu Butters 22. Hugh Anthony 23 Junior Wailutu. |
| Monday started after breakfast with a DVD session reviewing Saturdays game, reminding everyone how heavy the rain was in the opening period, how Vess did his 'old man' impression and buckled under a pass from Stu Butters. The lads were keen to ensure no bears were spotted coming out of the undergrowth.......many seemed to run away from something! |
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| After the DVD review the team headed off to the local park and conducted a two hour training session under the coaching staff, the front row were back in time from their outing (more later) and were singing a song of a certain city in America...the evening had the team spoilt for choice, National league basketball playoffs, Ice hockey playoffs and Baseball as the Boston Red Sox played Toronto all occurred in the city; some of the team (Ballos, Danny and Lareth (sometimes Gareth can’t say his name properly (after 20 G & Ts!))) decided to go and watch the 'Village People' play their own style of baseball.......more later; ........below, the scoreboard at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. |
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| After training on Tuesday it was discovered that several players had mislaid their 'flash cards' and the 'villains' in the team were collecting many potential fines for the 'judge' to dish out... (Wednesday) saw a sad event prior to training as Adam Karran's 'plastic soldier' was laid to rest following the beheading (eating) of him by his owner. The burial party rehearsed at sun rise in the local park, it was to be an emotional time for all....we will remember him. |
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| After training we replicated the baseball game at the Red Sox the previous night, the forwards took on the backs and the skill of the batters was mixed to say the 'least', some, Ves, Mr Hughes were good, others Gus and Daz were quite shocking...... |
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The team that played on Wednesday night v NE Colleges XV at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, kick off at 1900hrs was :
Sapperrugby – 1. Lee Wagner 2.Garry Windle 3. Mark Eastley 4. Rob Taylor 5. Adam Karran 6. Neville Boyd 7. Ritchie Warmington 8. Darrell Ball (skipper) 9. Solo Baleisolomone 10. Tom Best 11. Geraint Fisher 12. Danny Cootes 13.Peceli Navacamuto 14. Junior Wailutu 15. Stu Butters 16. Rickey Reeves 17. Gus Rule 18. Nathan Young 19. Ben Hughes 20. Noxy Leqekoro 21. Ves Wessells 22.Baks Bakoso. For video highlights of the game click here |
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Every member of the team was nominated as either a 'hero' or 'villain', they had the costume of that character to wear at a nominated point,(made a great photo) each tourist also had a plastic soldier (above) and on the call ‘soldiers’ had to adopt the pose of their nominated soldier wherever they were......para troopers had of course to do the ‘Para roll’; as you can see (above) some soldiers have been in locations others haven’t! |
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Thursday was our only complete day off! Some of the squad went 'Whale watching' off the coast and others took the 'trolley tour' around Boston, most ended up in the Cheers bar! Some did their washing.......our club Presdient Brigadier Shaun Burley arrived via BA on Thursday evening and was be with us until we returned home on Monday evening. |
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| Friday was a 'transfer day' to Newport RI, leaving Boston around lunchtime on our coach driven by the delightful Shaun and stopping off at Gillette stadium, home of Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots, video man and massive 'Pats' fan Jonathan Fowke had to be dragged from the 'pro shop' after an hour as his credit card could no longer sustain the pounding it was getting. On Saturday and Sunday we played at Fort Adams state park in the New England rugby festival, (16 mens and 8 womens teams) our first game was at 1000hrs on Saturday against Boston (not the Wolfhounds) and depending on the result from that we played another game late Saturday afternoon and a further game on Sunday,........ |
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Sapperrugby laid the 'gauntlet down' on Saturday morning, the location the stunning views from Fort Adam state park. The opposition was Boston. Kicking of just after 1000hrs local on a sunny day with temperatures in the high 60s it took Gus Qasevakatini just 16 minutes to score a hat trick of tries and a further 6 minutes to score another two as the Sappers made it 33 - 0 at half time. A further 6 more tries were added in the 25 minutes each way game in the second period coming from Noxy Leqekro, Stu Butters (2), Ves Wessells, Peceli Navacamuto and Zac Vakasawaqa. The second game had the Sappers play at 1800hrs local against 'South Shore' who beat the Boston Irish Wolfhounds in their quarter final. For video highlights of game 1 click here. More below..... |
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Game two of the festival kicking off at 1800hrs local had the Sappers playing 'South Shore' who we did not expect to meet according to 'the local population', they beat the Boston Irish Wolfhounds in their first round. The day had been hot, very hot......and seven hours since we had played Boston, such is the size of the competition rugby matches that had been played non stop on all four pitches since 0800hrs! For highlights of game two click here |
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The Sappers found South Shore a more spirited outfit and the first ten minutes was an even contest. South Shore were not there to make the numbers up and were a physical and mobile unit. Sapper skipper Ben Hughes (Zorro) picked up a groin injury and was replaced by Noxy Laqekro who showed great movement and strength in the loose and scored two outstanding individual tries, however it was not before Army winger Gus Qasevakatini (Robin) scored his second hat trick of the day again inside 20 minutes and a fourth try after 8 minutes in the second half to take his tally to 9 tries in two games. Blistering speed and the wide areas of the touchlines on the full firm pitch on a hot sunny day were 'just the ticket' for this highly talented speedster. Rob Taylor (Wonder Woman) having a great tour had made a great pairing with first time skipper Ralph Cooke (Super Girl) and must now be the Sappers starting second row for a few years to come. |
Army centres Ves Wessells and Peceli Navacamuto displayed why they are Army coach's Andy Prices chosen first pairing with great speed and vision, the running and offloads had the appreciated New England crowd cheering with support. So at just after 7pm local the referee drew the contest to a close for the day. We lost count of the number of games that had been played in this stunning location, there have been a lot and the support has been very good. A tired team headed back to the Marriot Middletown for an ice bath and pasta. A mention must be made to the 'front row union' (instructional scrummage engagement video soon) who have grafted with great passion over the last ten days, the Sappers have found a natural spot for utility back Stu Butters (Skelitor) at 15 and a new 'star' in fly half Tom Best, a young man with the talent to release the outstanding backs outside him. Sunday was to bring a stern challenge, our opposition in the final Newhaven have beaten two good teams and it would be a tough game, one that we awaited and were prepared for, more below......................... |
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| The Royal Engineers won the New England Division 1 rugby festival knock out competition at Fort Adams state park over the weekend 15 - 16 May 2010, beating a spirited and strong Newhaven club in the final, the Sunday afternoon was slightly cooler than the Saturday, the Sappers could not play Darrell Ball as he had picked up an injury in the second game on the Saturday. Newhaven had beaten fancied opposition to get to the final and we did not take the game lightly. The opening 10 minutes showed why our opponents were in the final, physical and committed they tested the Sapper defensive line time and time but good commitment and communication kept the local team at bay. After 10 minutes Tom Best broke through to open the scoring and it was seven minutes later before Gus Qasevakatini went over, further tries by Garreth Libbey, Baks Bakoso and a second from Gus Qasevakatini gave the Sappers a comfortable lead of 31 - 0 at the interval. |
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| The Sappers continued the pressure in the second half, Gareth Libbey crossed for his second, Peceli Navacamuto scored a great individual try before selfishly off loading a second scoring opportunity to Ricky Reeves having crossed the try line, it was left to Baks Bakoso to finish it off to make the final score 55 - 0. The outstanding team performance over the two days (180 points for and 12 against) reflects what can be achieved when you get a group of talented players together for a period of time, this game had great commitment from everyone wearing a maroon and navy shirt. So a great weekends rugby played in a stunning location came to an end, thanks to all the New England teams and the event organisers for a great festival. Court awaited....... |
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| Mr Zorro chaired the court, assisted by prosecution Ming the Marvelous and Defence Council, Wonder Woman, several individuals including Superman, Jack Sparrow and Conan were found guilty of serious offences. |
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Australia
2007 - Sapperrugby Tri Nations - 6 - 21 May 07 |
Our
training base was HMAS Penguin a small Naval base on the north
east of Sydney in the Mossman province.It turned out to be
an ideal location with good training facilities, good accomodation
and messing and a very helpful medical facility. |
Sapperrugby
v 'The Sydney Sappers' |
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| Having
landed at 5 am on Tuesday morning, following a 24 hr
journey a intensive run out was probably the last thing on the
players minds. Director of Rugby Rich
Garrett and his coaching staff of Andy
Sanger, Gareth Evans and
Tony Cheadle had different ideas.
Having recieved an induction briefing and a light lunch the
team headed to the training pitch for a 'game of touch', two
hours later and probably a bit more contact then they required
they were ready for a good sleep! Wednesday produced a split
scession in the morning with a team run in the afternoon and
Thursday was upon us before the jet lag had set in.The game
was played at the home of the Australian Engineer School, Steele
Barracks and thankfully a cloudy but warm afternoon greated
the teams. |
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| The
game took a while to get any rythem, many of the touring party
had not played together for some time and indeed the Sydney
Sappers hardly knew each others names! After period of exchanges
between the forwards and threes it was the UK Sappers through
Justin Rogers that opened the scoring
with a penalty, and it was apparent that the Sapperrrugby pack
were getting the advantage for their opposite numbers, Teiko
Baleilautoka playing at 8 was making some impressive
yardage from the base of the scrum. However after 12 minutes
the scores were level with a successful Sydney penalty. After
30 minutes though the UK Sappers did cross the line, H
Hudson finished off a succession of powerful forward
drives to increase the lead to 8-3.
Seven minutes later Teiko Baleilautoka
crossed the line to take the score to 13
- 3 just before half time and just before half time the
referee decided to yellow card two Sapperrugby players for repeated
infringements. Halftime score 13-3
to Sapperrugby. |
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The
second half started with the Sydney sappers determined to make
the two man advantage count, the sapper defence was well drilled
throughout and it was only after considerable pressure that
they crossed the line to make it 13-8.
Captain for the day Vic Reeve came
close just being stopped before he crossed the line however
it was Matt Webster that put the
next points on the scoreboard for the UK Sappers, with Vic
Reeve converting the score moved to 20-8.
Vic Reeve then added a penalty before crossing the try line
himself to take the final score to 28-8. This was a good opening
game for us, the Sydney sappers played with pride and never
gave up, rehab and team run for the Australia Army A in less
then 48 hours, surely a game too soon for some tired bodies.
Man of the match – Teiko Baleilautoka
for a great display of power running from the base of the scrum. |
| Sapperrugby
Team 1.Max Maxwell 2.Raz Erasmus 3. Nathan Young
4.H Hundson 5. Rob Taylor 6. John Auld 7. Pras Prasadd 8. Teiko
Baleilautoka 9. Matt Pritchard 10. Justin Rogers 11.Andy Hurran
12. Matt Webster 13. Frazer Deeming 14. Vic Reeve (Captain)15.
Adi Stander Replacements: Garry Windle, Ian Black, Rich Warmington,
Gilly Gill, Chris Shorter and Bokka Viljeon. |
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Sapperrugby
v The Australian Army A |
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| Having
been in the country for only five days we now faced
our second game of rugby; the opponents on this warm Saturday
afternoon were the Australian Army A team, a selection of the
Army’s up and coming stars who were fit, skilful and strong
and who were joining the senior team to prepare for the game
the following week against the British Army. The pitch was much
bigger than the one at SME and would be a test for both teams
defence and allow the backs to expand their running game.
The coaching staff had picked a different
team that played the Sydney Sappers and although some were
playing their first game others were facing their second start
within two days.
The Australian Army kicked off playing up
a slight slope with the sun in their eyes and from the opening
few exchanges we knew this was going to be a sterner test
from that of Thursday, the pace was faster and the hits bigger,
however both teams showed that they were going to utilise
the wide pitch with the wingers seeing a lot of the ball in
the opening 15 minutes.
It was the Sappers that put the first points
on the board, the referee penalising the Australian back line
for offside and with Chris Shorter
slotting the points made it 3 –
0. The Australian Army however were finding their running
lines and it took some big hits from the sappers defence to
keep them out. Sadly Dave Goddard had
to leave the field after 25 minutes with a rib injury and
was replaced by Teiko Baleilautoka
. Shortly afterward the Sappers were penalised for hands in
the ruck and after a successful penalty the scores were level
after 32 minutes 3-3. Within
two minutes the Australians had taken the lead with some well
worked phases; their right winger crossed in the corner to
make it 3-8. The conversion was
unsuccessful.
After considerable pressure by
the Australian Army Garry Windle
rallied his team for one ‘last effort’ of the
half. Forwards and backs combined to push the Australian Army
onto their 5 mtr line and after numerous waves of attack it
was Phil Rowlands that smashed
over to level the score on the stroke of half time. 8-8.
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Sappers were visibly tired, was two games in such a short time
frame of stepping off a marathon journey too much? The Australia
army were fresh and made 6 replacements in an effort to run
the Sappers into the ground.
Thankfully as the second half got underway
the strong sun that had shone into the eyes of the Australians
had just about gone, dusk wasn’t far away. The Australian
Army started off attacking well, combining some slick hands
stretching the Sappers tired legs, the display of the second
half was testament to why we presently are the Army Corps
Champions. The Sappers put in some huge hits, often two or
three individuals taking out the attackers, after 15 minutes
the scores were still locked at 8-8, however from the sides
you sensed that the Sappers were getting their second wind,
Ritchie Warmington and Garry
Windle were starting to make inroads into the Australian
defence and in the backs Rhydian Slade
Jones replaced Chris Shorter
and with ‘Bokka’
moving to 10 our wings Vic Reeve
and Adi Stander were seeing much
more of the ball. It was a break from Vic
Reeve that pushed well into the 22 that saw several
phases of forward pressure with Garry
Windle eventually forcing his way over the line on
26 minutes, with Bokka converting
saw the Sappers take a 15-8 lead.
The Australians as we knew they would had not finished, they
continued to push, however previously tired Sapper legs found
extra strength and gave a fantastic display of pride and passion,
the self belief was there to see and when Bokka
converted a penalty to push the score to 18-8
on 36 minutes the game was done.
This was indeed a performance that
ranked with that of the merit league final, a team effort
that displayed great resolve and character. One to
go.
Sapperrugby
1. Ian Black. 2 Garry Windle (Captain).3. Phil Rowlands. 4
Rob Taylor. 5 Joe Ukiledieukie. 6 Richie Warmington. 7 Dave
Goddard. 8 Luke Rockovardo. 9.Gilly Gill. 10 Chris Shorter.
11 Adi Stander. 12 Darrell Ball. 13 Carl Abraham. 14 Adi Stander.
15 Eugine Viljeon. 16. Max Maxwell. 17 Raz Erasmus. 18 Jon
Auld. 19 Frazer Deeming. 20. Teiko Baleitiko. 20 Matt Pritchard.
21. Nathan Young 22. Pras Prasard.
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| Sapperrugby
v The Royal Australia Engineers |
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| Sapperrugby
returned to Steele Barracks for our third and final game, and
for us the most important game, the Inter Corps game for the
Hesco Bastion Tri Nations Corps Cup against the Australian Royal
Engineers, unlike our previous visit the weather was hot, around
24 degrees and it would be a test of our fitness and preparation.
The Australian sappers kicked off playing
right to left and from the first few exchanges it was evident
that both teams wanted to run the ball in ideal conditions.
Rob Taylor was showing why he
had been selected by the Army A team winning several lineout
balls on opposition throw. Vic Reeve
missed an opening penalty for offside in midfield but it was
not a sign of things to come from him. From turnover ball
in the 22 the Australian Sappers broke deep into the opposition
22 and from a resulting penalty narrowly missed the chance
to open the scoring after an across field kick went long.
This seemed to give them belief and several penetrating runs
tested the Sapper defence. The tension and occasion was getting
to both sides, neither wanted to give a score and there were
big hits in defence from both teams; both came close to crossing
the line but it was the Australian sappers that had the slight
advantage as the half progressed.
It wasn’t until the 31st minute following a lineout
offence that the Australian sappers took the lead from a well
converted penalty, two minutes later they were a man short
following foul play and a yellow card.and four minutes later
following a close scrum, Tekio Baleilautoka
picked up and was stopped just short and the ball was recycled
for Adi Stander to cross from
close in to make it 5 – 3
and with Vic Reeve adding the
conversion the UK Sappers led at half time 7-3.
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After
two minutes of the restart Vic Reeve
kicked a good penalty from the 10 mtr line to increase the lead
to 10-3. Five minutes later following a good sequence of play
from within their 22 the Sappers were awarded a penalty inside
the Australian 22, a good catch and drive by Rob
Taylor saw skipper Garry Windle
collect the ball at the base of the maul and drove over, with
Vic Reeve again kicking the extras
from close to the touchline the UK Sappers now led 17
– 3. The Sapper scrum was starting to put extreme
pressure on the Aussie scrum, following a penalty for a scrummage
offence Vic Reeve again added 3
points to stretch the lead to 20-3.
It was the same person that then added another seven points
after a good recycled lineout and a great running line put him
under the posts to make it 27-3.
Five minutes later Tekio Baleilautoka
added an additional five from a push over scrum and the contest
was over at 32-3. Andy
Sanger put on his bench for the last ten minutes and
as often occurs when so many changes are made some continuity
was lost and to their credit the Australian Sappers crossed
the line twice in the last five minutes to make the final score
32-15.
Vic Reeve was named man of the
match for his great goal kicking display and great try. The
victor in all aspects though was Sapperrugby in the global sence;
a shared vision by Managers Chris Fowke
and Don Philpots had been completed,
18 months of planning had resulted in a fine contest and we
look forward to welcoming the Australian Sappers (and the Kiwi
Sappers if they can be bothered, to the UK in 2009 for round
two). Finally Captain Garry Windle
and youngest tourist Rhydian Slade Jones
collected the trophy at the after match dinner from our sponsor
Jonathan Bird of Hesco Bastion.Our
sincere thanks to Hesco for all that they have provided to us
over the last 18 months; without their support we would not
be where we are today - Inter Corps Continent Champions....... |
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| Sapperrugby
1. Ian Black.
2 Garry Windle (Captain).3. Carl Maxwell. 4 Rob Taylor. 5. John
Auld6 Richie Warmington. 7 Pras Prasadd. 8 Teiko . 9.Gilly Gill.
10 Bokka Viljeon. 11 Adi Stander. 12 Darrell Cooper. 13 Carl
Abraham. 14 Vic Reeve. 15 Rhydian Slade Jones. 16. Nathan Young.
17 Raz Erasmus. 18 Joe Ukiledieukie. 19 Frazer Deeming. 20.
Phil Rowlands. 20 Matt Pritchard. 21. Andy Hurran 22. Luke Rockovardo. |
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