Page 119 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Battalion Rugby
The 2016/17 5 RIFLES RFC season was one of establishment, adventure and success. The team had to deal with the pressures of a new home ground as well as unknown competition in the Army UK leagues. We found ourselves placed in Army Championship South-West 3, with everything to gain.
To nd our feet on British soil we held a week of pre-season training. This helped dust off a few cobwebs and enabled ‘the management’ to select new talent. It provided a platform for the rest of the season, improving cohesion, tness and a basic but reliable game plan.
The rst game of the season was when ‘Fortress Ward’ gained its name after a convincing win against 5 REME. Local derby success against infantry rivals 1 MERCIAN followed, before a resounding win against The Grif ns (Army HQ) at Salisbury RFC. This was a great end to the year at a great ground, and we were particularly well hosted afterwards...
The second half of the season became more exciting. A week’s tour to Cardiff in January provided a testing environment for both our rugby and cohesion to grow. Games against Cardiff University and St Josephs’ RFC, both teams packed with regional talent, provided a real test, and although clearly outsized in both games the 5 RIFLES team provided strong opposition. In addition the team had the opportunity to enjoy the cities of Cardiff and Swansea before touring the Principality Stadium - a particular highlight of the trip! The men of the 5th sadly ended the tour without a win, however there is no doubt that their game had stepped up a level.
Back in Bulford our winning streak in the league continued with strong wins against Abbey Wood and 3 DSR, building momentum before a cracking cup run. A hard fought win in the semi- nals against the Wattisham Warriors at Fortress Ward saw 5 RIFLES RFC through to the Army Vase Final at Newbury RFC against 1 RHA. The nal was a high-scoring spectacle that eventually led to a win for 5 RIFLES. Just. It was a fantastic way to end the season.
There are some players that went the extra mile for the club this season and also managed to earn representative caps. LCpl Toon excelled as skipper, Cpl Barker as social secretary. Capt Cantrell as the (self-styled) Director of Rugby and Maj Helsby as Club President both put some steady hours in. Infantry caps went to Capt Cantrell, Lt Smart, Lt Macbeth, Cpl Barker, Cpl Springer, LCpl Jones, LCpl Toon, Rfn Sewell and Rfn Savunacagi. A nal congratulations goes to Rfn Savunacagi on being
voted player of the season. Simply lovely!
It is safe to say the 5 RIFLES RFC has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the UK! The squad looks forward to the challenge of ARU Championship 1 next season and the enjoyment
that comes with playing rugby at Battalion.
In Estonia, 5RIFLES has led the Battlegroup rugby team, supported very well by 26RA, the Intelligence Corps, REME and the Royal Signals. The National manager Kristian Kontas initially invited Captains James Cantrell and Guy Hewetson to a meeting, where with agreements of BBQs and a small competition hosted by eFP, our friendship began. 4 Estonia teams from across the region attended a 7’s
competition, with the overall winners being 26RA. Afterwards, eFP headed to the National 7’s in Tallinn where Club Captain LCpl Martyn Toon led from the front, supporting the Estonia National 7’s team, who narrowly missed out on the nal and came third overall. Finally a 7’s competition was hosted by local club Märjamaa, and a fully t eFP took both 1st and 2nd places despite the biblical rains. Rugby has allowed many of the BG to see Estonia and our friendships here will no doubt see us return in the future with invites to Finland and
Latvia on the cards. Uppa tha 5!
Lt Rich Smart D Coy
IT WAS A FANTASTIC WAY TO END THE SEASON
LCpl Toon and Cpl Barker (centre, standing), with Bn Rugby Team players in FSp Coy, with their stash
5RIFLES BG Rugby in Estonia
Cpl Ewan competes at the lineout with Bulford neighbours 1 Mercian
THE RIFLES