Page 65 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

2 RIFLES Rugby
The 2 RIFLES rugby football team has had an and was keen to impress as it played 12th
Colour Serjeant James Gibbins and 2nd Lieutenant Phil Williams control a dominant maul during the second half of the Army Rugby Union Premiership semi- nal against 1 YORKS
outstanding season following its promotion to the apex of Army Rugby, the Army Premiership. The team nished third in the Premiership and has provided a number of players to Army and Infantry representative teams in both rugby codes.
The team’s successes under the leadership of its captain Colour Serjeant James Gibbins (I Company) were built upon a very strong coaching and support foundation. Captain Scott Maunders (RCMO) and Serjeant Mark Elliot (Intelligence Serjeant) have been superb in coaching the team, and have been assisted by Corporal Ben Wakawaka (B Company), Corporal Uate Caqeua and Corporal Joe Naga (both HQ Company).
As the newcomers to an Army Premiership full of established sides, the team surprised the Army’s rugby fraternity with its uncompromising defence and expansive play. The team started the season with a magni cent win at home against a con dent 1 R WELSH team, producing a superb second half of rugby to score 31 unanswered points and win 34-15. This result sent shockwaves through the Premiership and was followed up with an even more complete performance against 7 (Para) RHA at Colchester, where the team silenced a baying crowd with a 30-7 victory.
A double-header in Aldershot ensued in wintry and unpleasant November conditions, with the team facing two extremely tough tests against the Scots Guards and Welsh Guards. Both sides were highly physical and aggressive across the pitch, but succumbed to 2 RIFLES game control and desire to win. The team beat the Scots Guards 26-20, but the victory against the Welsh Guards was even more signi cant, given that the team’s performance was not up to its usual standards. A second half ght back ensured that 2 RIFLES eventually focussed itself and, playing to its strength, scored the winning try in the corner after a driving maul with Ri eman Wilirua Tamanalailai (I Company) emerging from the morass of forwards to claim the try.
The team entered the Battalion’s Christmas Week as the only unbeaten side in the Premiership
Regiment RA in front of the entire Battalion at home. Sadly, 2 RIFLES lacked control and disci- pline and was beaten by the eventual Army Premiers 25-3. This poor form sadly followed the team over the Christmas break, where, despite the disruptions of support weapons cadres and pre-deployment training for Op SHADER 5, the rugby team cobbled together a side to play 1 YORKS. This lack of preparation showed, for the team was soundly beaten 34-0.
2 RIFLES entered the nals series looking to take the ght to 1 YORKS in the semi- nal. Sadly, a forgettable rst half had the team 0-29 down at half time. Half-time substitutions and a stern team talk had the effect of causing a 2 RIFLES ght back and, but for a poorly functioning lineout, the team would have scored more points given that it dominated possession and territory in the second half. The team nished the season with its heads held high after a 34-12 loss.
Success during the regular season has trans- ferred to a number of players being selected for representative honours. Notably, the entire unit has enjoyed the success of Corporal Lewis Bean, who has starred for the Army side this season and has signed a professional contract with Worcester Warriors. Lance Corporal Ratu Qiolele (HQ Company), Lance Corporal Kitione Domon- ikibau, Ri eman Adriu Tuilagi (both I Company) and Lance Corporal Kaseta and Ri eman Epi Ratu (B Company) have starred for the Infantry Rugby League team this season in 2 RIFLES rst year of involvement with representative rugby league. Captain Simon Swindells, Of cer Commanding Mortar Platoon
THE TEAM ENTERED THE BATTALION’S CHRISTMAS WEEK AS THE ONLY UNBEATEN SIDE IN THE PREMIERSHIP
THE RIFLES
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