Page 72 - RSDG Year of 2023

70 EAGLE AND CARBINE
With the Regiment returning from Mali, and then deploying on Ex WESSEX STORM in the autumn, regular Rugby did not get back up and running fully. A busy summer Sevens series and a pre-season fixture against Carnoustie RFC were all we could muster. Worth mentioning were the awards from the Sevens, with Tpr Waqa picking up player of the summer, and Tpr Wacawaca most improved - new blood in the ranks for SCOTS DG!
Given the consistent green soldiering, the decision was therefore made that the only way for us to play some regular Rugby was to go on tour... Naturally, we picked a nation famed for its Rugby, Sri Lanka. A group of 32 set off from Leuchars after an inspirational pre-tour chat from Mr Ah Sing ‘Remember, I’m all about discipline, discipline, discipline, none of you... are going to ruin my holiday...’ I can assure you this was a work trip, not a holiday.
Having been told we were unable to play military teams, we arrived at Havelocks Sports Ground to see a team wearing a Sri Lankan Air Force strip... a theme that persisted throughout the tour. Adjusting to the heat and humidity, we ran out onto a pristine pitch to puff our way through the 80 minutes. Highlights included LCpl Gable falling over attempting a clearance kick, and Mr Ah Sing who got knocked down, but he got up again, ‘that wouldn’t have happened ten years ago’. Through the blistering heat SCOTS DG prevailed 31-12 victors over the Air Force, a first big social of the tour beckoned...
A second fixture versus the Sri Lankan Police, (2nd in their national league I might add) was played at the Police Sports Ground, with the magnificent Police Academy in the background. The game began with Cpl Komaiyasa getting scorched on the wing to everyone’s amazement; in his defence, their winger was quick. A competitive game ensued with 80 minutes of hard Rugby. A team that hadn’t played much Rugby, SCOTS DG made plenty of errors that allowed the Police to stay in the contest. The game ended with the Police scoring a penalty try to seal a 17-17 draw, and while SCOTS DG might have felt hard done by, this was a fair result.
As the level of competition grew, we met our final opposition in the Ceylon Rugby Club, a bustling ground in the heart of Colombo, once again versus a team we were told was not military but arrived in full Army kit. It was the hottest day of the tour so far, SCOTS DG struggled
from the start, going down by two tries early. A strong comeback begun but happened too late, with the eventual 17-25 loss. A personal highlight was being bitten on the chest by an opposition prop, only for him to admit this to the referee...and the penalty to still be against SCOTS DG, alas, not our day.
Luckily, it was not all just Rugby, we were lucky enough to visit the sights of Sri Lanka. Led by our tour guide Mike, who never failed to comment on our punctuality and remind us that ‘time is precious’. Heading first to Sigiriya, an ancient fortress built into the top of a rock formation that towered over the surrounding area; a place we were perplexed anyone would leave. Then to the temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy before a Tea factory and Spice Garden selling natural ointments.
‘Aren’t you going to buy anything Nabuka?’, Capt Walpole said.
(In the background SSgt Matagasau and Cpl Cabemaiwasa add items 22 and 23 to their basket).
‘No Sir, what are they all going to do when this stuff runs out...? They’ll go back to Nivea; I’ll just stick to Nivea!’, said Tpr Nabuka disapprovingly.
We then spent a few days on the coast in Hikkaduwa, a place popular with tourists from a nation rhyming with Prussia, and- equally as famous for its battles... Our final outing was a day trip to Galle to see the 16th century Dutch fortress which overlooked the international Cricket Stadium, we were truly spoilt for choice.
There was some brilliant Rugby played throughout the tour, given how busy the Regiment has been, it is testament to the hard work of all those that went, and shows how positive the next few years of Regimental Rugby can be. Tpr Waqa was voted player of the tour, and Tpr Wacawaca top try scorer, both dangerous with the ball in hand. A special mention should go to Tpr Tuimasala, who might’ve taken the top award if not for his penchant for the 10-minute enforced breather.... 2024 looks to be a good year to build on the success of the tour, with fixtures against the Scots Guards, 2 and 3 SCOTS imminently, and another busy summer of Sevens.
RUGBY
Lt A Todorov