Infantry’s Fijian contingent proved too hot to handle for the Royal Engineers as four second-half tries without reply saw them reign supreme in the Corps Merit League One final.
Trailing 15-10 at the break, the champions-elect hit top form in a devastating ten-minute burst to sink the sorry Sappers and lift their first top-flight silverware since 2008.
In a bruising first half, it was the Infantry who opened the scoring as a quick break by man-of-the-match Rfn Lekima Ravuvu (Rifles) from the base of the scrum set the platform for wing Rfn Vereimi Qorowale (Rifles) to cross in the corner.
Ravuvu went from hero-to-villain moments later as he was yellow carded for a high tackle and the Engineers made their numerical advantage count immediately as LCpl Manu Cakau piled over from close range.
Spr Jack Johnson slotted the conversion to edge his side ahead and he extended the lead with a penalty in front of the posts in the 21st minute.
But the Infantry fired a rapid response as a swift tap-and-go penalty from Pte Apriu Myritaki (Scots) created an attacking base that was capitalised on by Ravuvu, whose strong carry allowed Lt Jesse Ribeiro (Rifles) to jink to the line.
The fly half missed his conversion attempt and the Sappers – who were seeking a fourth successive title – completed the first-half scoring as hooker Cpl Matty Eyres charged home to establish a 15-10 lead at the interval.
However, it proved to be the final flourish for the defending champions as their rivals assumed control. Ribeiro reduced the deficit to two points with a penalty before a booming kick downfield by Ravuvu eventually resulted in LCpl
Onisivoro Nayagi (R Yorks) going over in the corner.
The try of the afternoon followed as a slick passing move on the edge of their own 22 saw the Infantry work the ball out wide, where Qorowale was able to turn on the gas and offload for the supporting Myritaki to go in under the posts.
A fifth and final score then completed a 32-15 win.
“It has been a long time coming,” victorious skipper Ribeiro said. “We try to train with some structure but once we get into a game the boys just play against what they see and let their flair go.
“We were happy to reach the final but were not expecting to win – it is unbelievable.”
The Army women survived a second-half fightback to claim a slender 17-14 victory over the French Army in a clash billed as ‘Le Crunch’.
Tries from Cpl Millie Williams (AGC (RMP)) and Pte Kaitlyn Fraser (RLC) gave the Reds a 12-0 lead at half-time and with Gdsm Manu Komaitai (IG) touching down shortly after the interval, they looked well set for a big win.
Two converted scores in the last ten minutes brought the French back into the contest. But with their last points coming on the stroke of full-time they were unable to press on for a victory.
It was a deserved reward for the Brits’ efforts on the day and Army skipper SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) said the tourists provided a welcome test for her team as they build towards the Inter-Services.
“We’ve had a slow start to the season due to deployments and work commitments,” she added. “We still have players missing so this was a strong effort.
“I’m a big believer in defence wins games and we put our bodies on the line with some big hits.”
The Army men later beat their French equivalents 47-12.
