Page 51 - Cormorant 2023

opposition 22m and both forwards and backs had worked the phases to draw in defenders. A further ten minutes was played in a similar manner whereby ACSC largely kept up the pressure, aided by French errors, but the score remained 0-5. To the credit of both teams, opportunities to kick penalties were overruled in favour of re-starts with the ball in-hand. Saint-Andre and Gareth Edwards would have approved; even if cardiologists would not.
But the final fifteen minutes saw a rapid swing in favour of ACSC. A lineout maul from ten metres out was converted into a try by Whits, followed minutes later by a crashing run from Josh to storm over for 0-15. Lambert then saw fit to convert one of the tries to make it 0-17 going into half time.
Though the final score suggests otherwise, the second half was a different affair. The French team applied the pressure, and this time a multitude of penalties and sloppy play from ACSC handed over the advantage. ACSC simply could not get out of their half and were pushed further back towards their own tryline. At which point “the Swan” had had enough. Collecting the ball from behind his own 22m, Dave arced his way through the defence, easing
his way past multiple defenders and tacklers, most of whom frankly seemed to stop to understandably admire a magician at work. But not all. Snaffled 10m short, Dave offloaded to Wg Cdr Warwick Burrows who crashed over the try line like an angry van der Merwe.
It was a similar story for the fifth try. Except this time it was Lt Col Chris Adair ALS, as full back, who sent an audacious kick forward from his own 22m deep into the opposition half. For a
moment, both time and Chris stood still as the ball was lofted forward. Suddenly, Adair threw off the shackles of his wisdom and age and, like a youthful racing snake, dashed past almost all the opposition and tackled his opposite number in front of the posts. From the resultant phases, Whitaker powered over from close range to claim his second and the team’s fifth try.
Dénouement. The French were impeccable hosts and both teams traded ties and tales over excellent cuisine in the heart of the Ecole de Guerre. After a great team effort with some notable individual performances and good leadership, the Lerwill Cup remains in the hands of ACSC for another year while the baton falls to ACSC 27 to try to retain the trophy in Watchfield, 2024. It was a memorable, privileged and fun affair for all involved, and many thanks must go to the organising committee for getting us there and back in good order.
PAGE 49 Wherever you serve, we serve
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