Josh Matavesi red card swings it the Army’s way
THE ARMY held out to defend their Babcock trophy at a sold-out Twickenham, thanks largely to a red card shown to Navy centre Josh Matavesi in the first half.
In the annual affair in front of 80,000 people, the Army triumphed after Matavesi was sent off in the first half.
Despite the RAF having already won the Inter Services Championship, there was still a lot of Forces pride on the line.
The Navy dominated the early exchanges with the lion’s share of possession leading to the first points on the board after eight minutes through the boot of Jonathon Humphrey, after Navy pressure near the line led to an offside.
The Navy deserved more than three points for their dominance and minutes later were 6-0 after another Humphrey penalty.
But the Navy then undid all their early good work with a moment of madness from Matavesi, below. The referee took a long look at the footage of a suspected headbutt before sending the Newcastle Falcon centre for an early shower.
With the Senior Service down to 14 men, the Army looked to capitalise, and they did. Chris Leathem used the extra space out on the wing to his advantage and crossed the line for the first try of the game.
The missed conversion meant the Navy still had the lead, but it did not last long with powerful Doncaster Knights winger Junior Bulumakau slicing his way through before swan-diving over the line.
With a successful conversion the men in red were in front for the first time, 12-9.
And just four minutes later, the Army were over again from a driving maul and Dixon’s conversation put them ten points ahead at the break.
The Navy were beginning to blow and were exposed again at the start of the second half, but no points were scored as scramble defence pushed the Army man into touch before touching down.
A scrappy quarter ensued but on the 68th minute mark the Army managed to extend their lead with another penalty, leaving the Navy needing two converted tries to get back in front.
They responded in style and mounted attack after attack at the Army line and eventually the pressure told. Ratu Vakalutukali escaped his man and flew over to make the score 22-14.
However, fellow Marine, Nathan Huntley hooked the kick at goal leaving the Navy trailing by more than a converted score.
And with that hope of a Navy revival was lost.
Meanwhile the Army women once again won the Inter-Services Championships and maintained their unbeaten record in the competition.
Fionidi Parker opened the scoring for the Army who went on to lead 38-0 at half-time.
The second half carried on in the same vein and it was not until they trailed 62-0 that the Navy finally got points on the board.
The penalty sailed through the posts to end the Senior Service’s scoring duck against the women in red and to make it 62-3.
The Army scored another two tries with Jade Mullen rounding off the tally at 72-3.