Page 44 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

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1 MERCIAN Union Side Reach Semi-Finals Of Army Championships
1 MERCIAN were narrowly defeated by a well drilled team from 1 RHA in the British Army Championship Vase (BACV) semi- final in Tidworth during March.
Rivalling the weekend’s Six Nations matches for suspense, it was an unfortunate end to an incredible inaugural season for 1 MERCIAN. Despite their relative inexperience as a side, they finished five points clear in their league to earn promotion and were the final Infantry Battalion in the British Army Championship Vase until yesterday.
Lance Corporal Tom Lander ensured the MERCIAN’s began the match in emphatic fashion, opening the scoring with a well- aimed penalty kick.
The relentless MERCIAN pressure reaped further rewards shortly afterwards, with Lieutenant Dave Stewart fighting his way through the 1 RHA defence to score the first try of the match.
Continuing their strong start throughout the opening quarter, the MERCIAN physicality and some robust tackling ensured the technically superior team from 1 RHA remained on the back foot.
Despite the tenacity, 1 RHA’s experience eventually led to a penalty of their own which they duly converted. With the half- time hooter looming, 1 RHA scored again. Breaking through the MERCIAN defensive line to secure their first try, the conversion was kicked wide leaving the scores level on the 40 minute mark.
1 MERCIAN started the second half as they’d begun the first,
piling pressure on the
RHA’s defence. However
a fumble ended the match. 1 RHA may have been the winners, but 1 MERCIAN played with the passion and tenacity which is underpinned by the Regimental motto of ‘Stand Firm, Strike Hard’.
Lieutenant Nick Hudson said “I am immensely proud of the lads today who played a tough game against a well drilled side. We started new in the league this year,
due to a succession
of quick errors, 1 RHA was able to score two converted tries to open up a 14 point lead.
I am immensely proud of the lads today...
but to win promotion and progress to the semi-finals of the cup is a superb achievement.
“1 MERCIAN have put in an outstanding performance this season, not only being
The MERCIAN will to fight was not broken and the team restarted with added ferocity. Colour Sergeant Mark Harris surprised 1 RHA and supporters alike, with a burst of speed and nimble footwork to claw back
a try for 1 MERCIAN. Lance Corporal Tom Lander quickly converted to allow the restart with only 60 seconds left on the clock.
The team fought on until the end, keeping the ball in play for another five minutes until
the last Infantry Battalion remaining in the Championship after defeating 1 Coldstream Guards in the quarter finals, but by also ending the season five points clear in their league to earn promotion.
“An excellent effort considering the Battalion only formed in September last year.”
The match finished with 1 MERCIAN on 15 points and 1 RHA on 22 points
THE MERCIAN EAGLE