By Roger Thompson

The holders of the Babcock-sponsored Inter-Services rugby championship trophy hammered in a statement of intent ahead of their showdown with the Royal Navy at Twickenham this month with a 46-6 victory over the Royal Air Force.

The Army scored two good tries through Cpl Bruno Green (RE) and man of the match LCpl Georgie Kemble (RWF). The ball-carrying wallop of Pte Apolosi Satala (1RS) and Hldr Isoa Damudamu (Hldrs) injected powerful direction and only heroic individual efforts by the RAF prevented the light blue pack crumbling completely. The arrival of LCpl Chris Budgen (RWF) added “snap and crackle” in the rucks and mauls, but mistakes prevented delivery of the expected “pop”. 

In the second half the Army poured over and through the crumbling ramparts of the light blue defences. Budgen, LCpl Darren Ball (RE) and LBdr Andy Dawling (7RHA) clattered forward to gain many yards, but only at the expense of skipper Cpl Mal Roberts (RLC), Cpl Bruno Green and Pte Saula Roko (RGBW). The final 20 minutes saw some excellent Army rugby, with forwards and backs orchestrating excellent tries for Roberts, Dawling, Ball and Budgen. By this time LSgt Chris Scarf (WG), Sig Phil Littlehales (R Signals) and Cfn Daryl Slade Jones (REME) had come on to win their first caps - each doing so with distinction.