Rugby Union

Army Under-23s storm to victory in final warm-up fixture

The Army Rugby Under-23s confidently won their final warm-up fixture as they gear up to defend their Inter Services title.

Playing against the Berkshire Under-20s in Aldershot, they won convincingly with 33-17 in their final outing before the Inter Services championships.

The early stages of the match saw the Army concede an early try to Berkshire, but the military men began to make amends as fullback Mitch Needham converted a try that put the Army 7-5 up.

It didn't take long for the home side to double their advantage, as Orisi Katalau breezed behind the posts for a converted try.

In the closing stages of the first half the Army claimed a third try, with Needham popping a pass to Katalau who got it over the line for a converted score. The Army was 21-5 ahead of their visitors at half-time.

The second half saw the Army continue their strong form, as Hubberstey successfully made it to the try line as the home side took control.

Harry Taylor attempted to break through the Berkshire defence, but after he was hauled down the Army managed to keep possession of the ball until Taylor scored yet another try for the home side.

The Army will be disappointed they let Berkshire back into the match with two late tries, and two yellow cards in two minutes found the Army undermanned up front.

The Head Coach of the Army Under-23s Rugby, Captain Gareth-Slade Jones, showed optimism ahead of the Army's clash with the Royal Air Force at Witney in the coming days.

He said: "We started a bit disjointed, but what we are seeing at the moment is great structure, the boys are developing well, and I am looking forward to next week's game.

"The Inter Services is going to be a hard battle, there is going to be a good display of rugby and it will be hard fought.

"The three teams are very similar in their nature and the coaching setup, so again I think it will be fast-flowing rugby."