News from the Royal Signals Rugby Club
Match Report Victory over the RA
05/09/10
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A hard fought 6 – 5 win over an unlucky Gunner side saw the Corps open its Merit Table 1 account at Bramcote. The fixture turned into a dramatic and emotional battle, which saw four yellow and one red card issued as both sides gave everything in an attempt to earn vital points. With the score held down by impressive and passionate defence from both sides, the Signals struggled to contain the Gunners in a dramatic and highly charged closing period.
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The hosts dominated the opening 10 minutes against a young Gunner side who looked to be struggling to settle into their rhythm following a long journey. With an impressive run of games the Gunners seemed unconcerned with the constant pressure applied by the Corps. A solid and well organised defence meant that the only points from an opening period dominated almost entirely by the Signals was a solitary penalty from Fly Half, LCpl Young (21 Sig Regt (AS)).
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 Flying high - Sig Dan Leigh (30 Sig Regt) impressive in the line.
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The Gunners continued to absorb the Signals pressure throughout the first-half and, despite the Corps having the ascendancy in the set piece, they were unable to unpick an organised and controlled Gunner side. The only further score came from the boot of Young following an infringement at a ruck on the visitors 22. This saw the Gunners reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the first-half and gave the Corps some breathing space at half-time.
The Gunners came back strongly at the start of the second-half with their new scrum half disrupting well at the base of the scrums and rucks. The Corps absorbed the early pressure and slowly began to reassert control. A flowing backs move brought the Corps to with reach of the elusive Gunner try line, although the final pass from LCpl Harrison (30 Sig Regt), who had finally opened the Artillery defence with an impressive counter-attack, failed to make the final link to Sig Thompson (10 Sig Regt) who was in open space. Crucially this left the Gunners within reach and in need of only one converted try to steal the game against the run of play.
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Inside the final quarter, the Gunners back line played with much more purpose and bite. Consistent pressure in a thrilling passage of play saw the Artillery romp back into contention with a neat try out wide. Unfortunately their otherwise impressive young Fly Half missed a difficult conversion from the touchline. No sooner had the spectators breathed a sigh of relief than the referee allowed the kick to be taken again following inappropriate comment from the home support.
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 Lt Rory Thompson (2 Sig Regt) secures Signals ball under the watchful eye of Capt Ian Burgess (22 Sig Regt).
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With the second attempt drifting wide and the clock ticking down, both sides entered a frantic final passage of play. After one last display of stern defense the Signals were able to turn the ball over and the Artillery were dealt a major blow when Gnr Dowding fell foul of the referee after an altercation at a ruck, which resulted in a red card for stamping. The Signals cleared their lines with a solid kick to touch, but with seconds on the clock they were then penalised for delaying at the line out as they disputed the Gunners closing the gap. Another missed penalty from the 22 meter line sealed the Gunners fate to end a nail biting finish.
 A happy and victorious squad celebrate their first points of the season.
Credit must go to an unlucky Gunner side who could so have so easily walked away with a win had luck gone their way. A special mention must also go to the referee for controlling a highly charged and physical encounter, which saw two determined sides lock horns from the first whistle. The victory meant a great deal to a side that has struggled to find it’s rhythm during the early part of the season and marks a real turning point for a young team who showed irrepressible self belief and great team spirit. The Signals look forward to playing a much improved Infantry XV at Bramcote on 20th January 2010.
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