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.

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.

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.