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summary of challenge cup games (News)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Here is a brief summary of the games played in this seasons challenge cup by the Army Rugby League 1st XIII
Featherstone Lions v Army 23rd Jan 10
For the second successive year the Army were drawn away to the Lions.
The weather was freezing but the conditions were an improvement on the year previous, where it was difficult to see who was playing for who at the end of the game, as both teams were covered from head to toe in mud.
The Army played their first game under the new head coach Andy Sanger who started the game well, with their new look side. Debutants Sammy Speight on the wing showing strength going forward and rugby union ,forward Hoppe playing in the centre potentially being a great prospect later in the year when he gains some experience at the 13 a side game.
After a good opening 10 minutes, the Army suffered from giving away territory with some handling errors and the home team didn't hang about getting some points on the board.
But this didn't deter the young Army side with strong running and a great off load from Army skipper Gareth Lodge playing at prop causing the lions problems every time he got his hands on the ball.
The Army couldn't seem to capitalise as they mounted pressure and seem to give the ball away cheaply after good approach work, just as the lions seemed to be on the rack another cheap turnover or penalty.
This allowed the lions to go further in front with another try before halftime, at the break the Army at two tries down, had it all to do. But with some good chat from the coaches at the break the Army came out fighting and pulled a score back, great defence from Andy Kay showing some of the bigger guys how size doesnt matter with some great lifting tackles. Stu Butters and Rob Smart provided some calm in the new side and Smarty scored the decisive try at the end to win the game. Skipper Gareth Lodge was voted man of the match but there was strong performers in Smarty, Col Mckensie, and Kay. The Army look forward to the next round on Sat 13th Feb away against Warrington Wizzards who narrowly beat the RAF 28-24.
The Army's merchandising machine julie hullatt,daryl cooper and clare were on hand selling replica shirts Hoodies and polos at the match, raising money for the soldiers league charities.
Also at the game money was raised for Help for Heroes via the Featherstone club.
Soldiers league presentative Jeremey Bethall presented a £500 cheque to the local British Legion, please find photos attached.
| MediaRelease Wednesday 17 February 10 |
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Carnegie Challenge Cup Second Round – Warrington Wizards v Army
Magical play from Wizards cast second half spell on Army
Sunday 14 February 2010
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| versus Warrington Wizards | Wilderspool Stadium Warrington
| KO 1400 hours
Half: 0 - 14 Full: 28 - 20 |
| 1 | Sergeant Rob Martin | Royal Artillery | Try 30 Min. Yellow Card 66 min |
| 2 | Lance Corporal Tim Tamani | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
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| 3 | Lance Corporal Mags Marangon | Royal Engineers | Try 17 Min |
| 4 | Masi | Royal Engineers |
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| 5 | Private Sam Speight | Royal Artillery |
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| 6 | Corporal Rob Smart | Royal Army Medical Corps | Conv 17 min, 60 min |
| 7 | Corporal Andy Gray | Royal Artillery |
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| 8 | Sergeant Garry Windle | Royal Engineers |
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| 9 | Gunner Andy Kay | Royal Artillery |
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| 10 | Private Gareth Lodge (Captain) | 4 PARA | Try 20 Min |
| 11 | Corporal Darrell Winn | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
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| 12 | Corporal Andre Zwijnen | 4 RIFLES |
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| 13 | Lance Corporal Andy Parkin | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
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| 14 | Private Scott Sarsons | 2 PARA |
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| 15 | Sapper Adam Baker | Royal Engineers |
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| 16 | Rifleman Jack Kirkmond | 5 RIFLES |
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| 17 | Sapper Lee Coe | Royal Engineers | Try 60 Min |
It was like stepping back 15 years to an age before the “Super League” when the Army were hosted at the Wilderspool Stadium, which has long seen better days, for the Second Round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. The Bevan stand was packed to the rafters with 250 supporters parting with £3 of their hard earned cash to see their local side against the travelling Army outfit. The kick off went deep into the Warrington half where it was safely collected and a steadying set from the Wizards was met with a solid defensive from the Army, with Prop Private Gareth Lodge (PARA) setting example as captain with a high defensive tackle rate. Experience was evident from the senior members of the Warrington side, as the Scrum Half Warren Ayres, dictated the play and lead the attacking options. A dropped ball in the 5th minute and a infringement at the resulting scrum gave the Army the opportunity to break the deadlock with a kick at goal, which just sailed left of the upright leaving the score 0-0. From the restart the Army started to show some dominating play and an obstruction on an Army Up and Under forced a penalty 20m out from the Warrington line, which despite some superb handling and drop off play, resulted a turnover. Warrington were awarded a penalty just inside their own half for a swinging arm, however a dropped ball then returned possession to the Army, possession that was soon lost when a thundering tackle form Warrington caused the ball carrier to drop the ball. From this point it looked as if the Army would start to dominate the game, strong running from Private Gareth Lodge and Second Row Corporall Andre Zwijnen (Rifles) tour the Warrington defence apart, which Hooker Gunner Andy Kay (RA) dictating the play. It was apparent a score from the Army was imminent, when Winger Lance Corporal Tim Tamani (REME) broke down the right wing to be tackled 10m short, a beautiful cross field kick to the opposite wing was cleanly collected by Centre Lance Corporal Mags Marangon to power over the line. With Stand Off Corporal Rob Smart kicking a superb conversion from the touchline the score was brought to 0 – 6 (17 mins). From the restart the Army were ablaze with some excellent drilled play, the Wizards were starting to look tired as their big players were dragged around the park. A fantastic drop off, which carved up the defence led to Private Gareth Lodge crossing the whitewash. With the conversion missed the score was 0-10 (20 Mins). Warrington looked to fight their way back into the game when the stole the ball and got back into the Army half, it looked like they had sealed a score when Tom Wild broke cleanly through the Army defence only to drop the ball 10m short of the line. From the resulting scrum Sapper Adam Baker made a 70m run only for his legs to give out 20m short. Warrington intercepted in the following set only to drop the ball. An excellent run by Winger Private Sam Speight (RA), which was followed by two passes covering the width of the pitch to Full Back Sergeant Rob Martin (RA) who stepped 2 players to score. With a difficult conversion missed the score remained 0 -14 (32 Mins). The Army dominated the final 10 minutes of the second half with strong attacking play and a solid defence, Warrington looked to almost breach the Army defence but were held up short of the line. At Half Time, it looked as though a depleted Army side with 4 debutants had this game sewn up. Some Warrington supporters could even be heard asking if they could have a £1.50 refund if they left at half time. Warrington emerged for the second half looking fully recharged, it is amazing what the Half time Bovril at Wilderspool can do! Private Gareth Lodge collected the Warrington kick off and in a strong attacking set the Warrington defence was soundly tested with the Army knocking at the door and being held 1m out. From their strong defence, the home side rallied with a strong attack the ball was spun out wide to Shaun Gilmour, the smallest man on the pitch who sprinted in to the corner. A missed conversion attempt left the score 4 – 14. (45 Mins) The Home side now had their tails up and following a Army knock on they regained possession, exploiting the full width of the pitch the ball was again spun out Shaun Gilmour who crossed the whitewash for the second time in 5 minutes only for the Touch Judge to make a strong decision and disallow the try for a double movement. Warrington brought out their big guns shortly into the second half, bring on some giant individuals who battered the Army defence in a hope of penetrating it. The visitors suffered a succession of harsh penalties for holding down, the consistent possession for Warrington allowing them to tire the defence and led to Wizards Loose Forward Alan Reddecliff smashing his way over the try line, the successful conversion brought the score to 10-14. (58 Mins) When the Army were awarded a penalty for crossing they extended their lead. An excellent run by Lance Corporal Mags Marangon, was built upon by Sapper Lee Coe who battled hard to cross the line with 3 Wizards players hanging onto him. Corporal Rob Smart kicked the conversion 10-20 (60 Mins) The Army looked to have cemented victory when they crossed over the white wash again, Private Sam Speight charged through to dive onto a loose ball in the in goal area but the Touch Judge mystifyingly ruled that the bal had not been grounded correctly. A succession of poor penalty decision against the Army led to Full Back Sergeant Rob Martin (RA) receiving a yellow card and spending 10 minutes in the Sin Bin. Warrington utilised the player advantage and exploited the gaps it created in the defensive line, with Wizards Loose Forward Alan Reddecliff crossing over for his second try of the match. The try was converted easily 16-20 (70 Mins). A vocal home crowd added to the advantage, giving the tiring Warrington side some extra energy. At this point Warrington were playing their best rugby of the match, hammering the Army on their Try line trying to get through. Following, a 2 minute stoppage for injury, the Army succumb to a sucker punch from the home side as they caught the visitors sleeping in defence, Second Row Nick Braide crossed to bring the scores level, with the conversion putting Warrington in the lead for the first time in the match. 22 – 20 (77 mins) Demonstrating the fighting spirit you would expect the Army regained the ball after the restart when Prop Sergeant Gary Windle (RE) stole the ball, from this set they were held just short of the try line. A controversial reversed penalty gave possession to Warrington inside their won 10 m. As they ticked down the clock, some experienced old heads worked the wing then pull the ball inside to Wizards sub Tom Wilde who ended the game scoring a converted try under the post. FT 28 – 20. Warrington progress for a home 3rd round fixture against Swinton, -------------------------------- The next Army fixture will be is the All Gold Cup Cheltenham 9s tournament on Saturday 24 April. =======================================================================
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