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FURTHER IN KICK-OFF

 

 

 

APRIL 2010 saw our esteemed Senior Army XV squad off on the unenviable task of training in Cape Town...but off course nothing ever goes to plan...

We bring you their diary of events & match reports - both the planned and unexpected. It's funny how a volcano in Iceland can disrupt an Army Training Camp in South Africa...this must be what they mean by the 'Butterfly Effect'!

Day 1 by Malakai Magnus

A bright African sun was smiling on the team as we arrived in Cape Town. The airport was all cranes and work men and a lot of work has been done since the team were last here. It was a good flight but Attack Coach Chris Brown had been ill on the flight but we thank God that he is well now and ready to coach us!

After a short delay we travelled by coach to the hotel with our driver for the week 'George'. George seemed very confused as the Welsh, English and Fijian accents chatted excitedly as they boarded the bus. We are sure he will understand Andy Price by the end of the training camp!

As we neared the hotel we could see Table Top mountain but the top was covered in cloud. Fortunately this cloud only remained until we got to the Western Province Cricket Club where we did our first bit of training and we were blessed with a warm sunny afternoon.

We had a quiet first night where the boys got to know the local area and where all the restaurants were. Early to bed ready for the first full days training tomorrow.

Maggie XX

Day 2 by Matthew Dwyer

IT looked like a plague of locusts had descended on the breakfast room after the team had feasted on this morning's fare. I was pleased to see that the Head Coach Andy Price was taking the conditioners advice and ensured he was fully fuelled up for the day!

The training at WPCC was fast and well executed. The coaches seemed pleased with our efforts and the boys knew that they had been in a session. The medical staff were called upon to stitch up hooker Sly Silvester's extremely impressive right ear after the session and the team manager has been dispatched to get some more fake tan for the team's 'Tom Jones' lookalike Gavin Ferguson who had been run so hard that his tan was dripping!

The afternoon session was again a success and some of the big forwards like Ben Hughes and Darrell Ball showed good ball retention skills in a hot sweaty session. All Bally needs to do now is practice his passport retention skills (what goes on tour stays on tour etc)! Also worthy of a mention is Chris Scarf who has a head as red as our shirts. At least we are not going to lose him at night the way that he is glowing!

Day 3 (6 Apr 10) - Charl Coetzer

TODAY'S training saw us breakdown into smaller groups and units and get some specialists one on one training with the various coaches. Being a South African my rugby memories are full of coaching sessions on hard ground in the blazing sun and the ease of delivery for the coaches in this weather as opposed to the rain of Queens' Ave is plain to see. We had 3 great sessions today and you can feel the team beginning to grow.

We are all waiting to hear the selection for the first game against Hamiltons RFC. I was really excited when I heard that we would be playing 'Hammies' as they are current the Western Cape Super League title holders as well as being the winners of the National Club knock out cup. This will be a huge challenge and one that the boys are up for!

The coaches and staff have been fantastic and there is a positive vibe throughout the party. My only worry is for the Team Manager who thinks that the Castle brewery are going to run out of beer! Wilkie fear not as the Castle Brewers have announced they are brewing an extra 1 million pints for this years FIFA World cup so there should be plenty for you and Col Sterne!

Regards

Charl

******

ARMY XV 39 - 23 HAMILTON RFC
SOUTH AFRICA – 8TH APR 2010

Reporter: Andy Price

FOUR days high quality and intensive training in Cape Town this week culminated in a match against Hamilton RFC last night (Thursday 8th). The game took place in what must be the best backdrop and setting in world sport, the pitch perched half way up Table Mountain.

In front of a partisan crowd, the game kicked off and both teams started at a breathtaking pace. The Army surprising the opposition with an intent to play expansive entertaining rugby and after only 3 minutes after a scything break by Apo Satala, winger Malakai Magnus finished the off the move with a try wide out, converted by Ceri Cummings.

Hamilton replied with a drop goal 2 minutes later. The next 10 minutes saw a ferocious contact area where most things were let go by a referee intent on seeing a contest and a game played. It was a real test of the Army's defence and character. The Army were the next to score through the other wing, Taniela Bakoso after a consolidated period of pressure and phase play in the Hamilton 22. Cummings again converted from the touchline.

Both teams then scored tries in the next 10 minutes. Hamilton through the forwards and the Army again after some great handling in the backs finished by fullback Charl Coetzer. Cummings converted and added a penalty before half time. Half time score Army 24 - Hamilton 10.

The second half started with the same tempo that the first ended. Hamilton kick a penalty on 44 minutes. The Army responded 3 minutes later with Bakoso's second try of the game after some great inter passing and hard running. Cummings again kept his 100% kicking record. The Army were starting to win over the crowd with the intent to play champagne rugby and the strength to maintain parity in the collision areas against a heavier pack of forwards.

The final 30 mins of the game saw both benches come on, but the Army players had the most impact. Both teams scored a penalty and a try in the final quarter of the game, the Army try was again a well worked entertaining passage of play and after a powerful run by back rower Boladau he offloaded to Gerhard Wessels to score on home soil in full view of his family members who were by now in full voice!!

So a bruising physical encounter which was a fine 5 try to 2 victory against the most successful Western Cape team in the last 2 seasons.

It leaves many selection dilemmas with all 23 players holding their hands up for selection. The intent to play attacking wide rugby showed with all outside Fitness and form all starting to peak at the right time. It is an exciting prospect with Chris Budgen and Fijian International Jack Prasad both set to play next week, the chin bar is again set to rise.

TEAM: 1. Ken Dowding 2. Matt Dwyer 3. Melvyn Lewis 4. Dave Bates 5. Darrell Ball 6. Apo Satala 7. Mark Lee (Capt) 8. Ben Hughes 9. Ian Martin 10. Ceri Cummings 11. Taniela Bakoso 12. Perceli Nacamavuto 13. Gerhard Wessels 14. Malakai Magnus 15. Charl Coetzer 16. Sly Silvester 17. Rick Reeve 18. Chris Scarf 19. Joe Kava 20. Tom Chennell 21. Gavin Ferguson 22. Gareth Parry

 

******

Day 5 (9 Apr 10) - Kenny Dowding

THE alarm clocks went off early as a tired but victorious team made their way through almost torrential rain to the swimming pool for the post match recovery. A smiling medical team were pleased to see that their workload would be light as despite a hugely physical match the whole team was in good shape.

The pool session was extremely amusing as much for the cold water and the Fijian screams as the sight of 27 players trying to fit one tiny indoor pool. Matt Dwyer was the centre of attention for a short period as he lay stretching at poolside and was accosted as some passing Greenpeace members who attempted to push him back in the water!!

A day off from rugby at last saw the majority of the players and staff make their way to the Waterfront Shopping Mall for some retail therapy. To any loved ones reading there can be no excuse for not receiving a gift upon the teams return!

Ta Ta for now Kenny!

Day 6 (10 Apr 10) - Dai Williams

A full day off started with glorious sunshine and the opportunity for some to organise their own activities. The Northern Men, Sean Fanning and Chris Brown donned their very smartest togs and headed to tut races, Marty Carrahar emerged from his room long enough for two meals and fizz before going back to work on the game analysis (Pricey works him hard!).

The majority of the party went to watch the Vodacom Cup (Currie Cup) match between Western Province and South West Counties. We arrived at the stadium and where immediately greeted by a crowd of young South African children who high fived all the boys and sent us in the direction of the club rooms. We caught the tail end of the curtain raiser game which was the Orange Free State against Merandoza from Argentina. Hugely physical and entertaining the games sandwiched some halftime entertainment that Pricey and Wilkie managed to get a closer look at!

A trip back on the coach followed where some virtuoso performance in the Coach X Factor competition kept the party entertained. The host Ben 'Dermot O'Leary' Hughes kept the judges in check. Andy 'Cheryl Cole ' Price, Danni 'I look a lot like Sue Fowler' Minogue and Simon Cowell who's part was taken on by Sly Silvester with his shorts halfway up to his chin were hard to please but the finalist delivered some fantastic vocal performances. In the end Matt Dwyer won on a sympathy vote from tour newbie Gareth Parry.

And then we were back at the hotel. Food and rest and an early night ready for the arrival of the DoSR in the morning and a return to training.

Nos Da

 

Day 7 (11 Apr 10)- Ian Martin

A fortuitous meeting with possibly the tallest submariner in the Royal Navy meant that I was able to lead a group from the squad on board HMS Sceptre for a quick tour. Why someone would chose to live in such cramped conditions is beyond me but it was very kind of the Royal Navy to host us and we will remain grateful until 1500hrs on the 1st May!

Whilst I played Captain Pugwash with the seamen, another group of players including Head Coach Andy Price and Apo Satala headed to the local church for a sunday morning service. It appears that Andy has been forgiven for his sins against the team and is now absolved and ready for another tough week.

Amidst all this activity Jack Prasad and the DoSR Andy Allen accompanied by the Sec ARU Chris Fowke arrived. After breakfast and a quick tour of the hotel grounds they were whisked up to the WPCC to watch team training. A tough afternoon saw the medical staff working overtime on running repairs. With a satisfied coach we headed back to the hotel to prepare for the three sessions that Andy Price and Co had in store for us on Tuesday!!!

Day 8 (12 Apr 10) - Sly Silvester

THE team awoke knowing that today would be a tough day and that we would finally be up to our full compliment with the arrival of 'Chicken Bro' Budgen. Chris was given the task of escorting the Chairman Gen Lamont Kirkland into the country before being asked to join in a live scrummaging session 2 hours after getting off a 12 hours flight. This might sound a bit harsh but the Head Coach has stated he felt sorry for Budgie and therefore allowed him to drop off his bags and have breakfast first before training!

The three sessions that were carried out in 30 degrees plus of heat were fast and furious. Some good ground was covered and the 'brains trust' looked reasonable content with the output. An early night for the team was in order due to heat of the day's training that saw those follicly challenge and those from the Scottish Highlands severley reddened in the face.

As I snuggled up early in bed (do you read these coach?) [EDITORS COMMENT- Is Sly suggesting that he was in bed at 1700hrs when the party left AP? I saw the General and his party heading to the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town to a reception to thank those who have made our stay so successful and have treated us exceedly well. Bring on DBRFC!!!]

14 Apr 10 - Matt Dawson visits...A Question of Sport -Andy Price

After a comprehensive win at DB RFC (24-0) last night. Today's sessions were recovery and specific skills.

As is customary on our SA Training Camp, our generous sponsors Sodexo come and visit. Ex-England and British Lions Scrum Half Matt Dawson works for Sodexo and kindly offered his services to do a skills session our 3 scrum halves.

The session was testing and educational......... even Matt learned a thing or two!!!

Day 9 (14 Apr 10) - Ian Martin

A 0900hrs dip in a freezing pool apparently aids recovery? Chris Williams put the bruised Army squad through their paces before we conducted more recovery and med checks. The team moved on to WPCC to hear the annoucement of the RAF 22 man squad and we were joined by the team sponsors and their sporting envoy Matt Dawson of Strictly Come Dancing and Question of Sport fame (Pricey said that he played a bit of rugby for some team across the Severn?). With the team annouced the players went onto continue recovery training with the med staff and the three scrum halves were treated to a coaching master class by Matt Dawson.

Despite the presence of a World Cup Winner and the annoucement of the RAF 22 the most sort after news was that of who would play Andy Price's all conquering staff touch team. The result was never in doubt as the assorted members of staff including Marty 'The Gas' Carrahar and 'Twinkle Toes' Price destroyed the multi capped players outfit. Worthy of note was the fantastic Serevi side stepping of Ceri Cummings by Pricey and his burst along for the winning try. (Written with tongue firmly in cheek). Well done the staff..you still have it!

Regards Guns

 

Day 10 (15 Apr 10) - Melvyn Lewis

BACK to the grindstone today as the team when through 3 hard sessions with points from the previous match. The players responded and the two northern gentlemen nodded contently as the session came to an end. A pensive looking team returned to the hotel in preparation for the evening's 'Kangaroo Court' where Ben Hughes QC was presiding. A busman's holiday for Mark Lee as he prosecuted the guilty buggers and the defence of those who deserved it was carried out by a studious looking Ricky Reeves (for all the Sappers reading this, he was wearing his glasses).

The dealings of the court are secret but needless to say Chris Brown was punished for his poor performance whilst flying over to South Africa and Head Coach Andy Price was punished for his mistreatment of the players over the season. A fantastic night of self-made entertainment that went a long way to putting the news of the Volcano and flight delays to the back of people's minds.

Melv

Day 11 (16 Apr 10) - Thomas Hughes (An Officer & a Gentlemen)

THE overnight news from the aviation industry has put a dampener on the team's morale but the coaching team provided a real focus and the team continued training with a very effective team run.

The team manager then arranged a coach trip to the southern most tip of Africa to Cape of Good Hope. A fantastic photograph opportunity and the chance for the Northern chappie Sean Fanning to climb the high southernly point on the continent. I followed suit and perambulated up the said mountain only to find the team manager egging on the coach driver to get the coach to pull away every time I came close to the vehicle (I though it was DEs who were childish Wilkie!) [Editor's Note: Childish Tom it may have been but very amusing nonetheless]. We then followed the coastal route and went onto to take a late lunch in the old Royal Navy town of Simon's Town. After watching Apo Satala clear the Indian Ocean of all of it's crustaceans we drove back to the hotel for some time off.

Day 12 (17 Apr 10) - Ben Hughes

THE squad's mind's are firmly focussed on the upcoming RAF game and today's team run was on the money. The team remain glued to the TV in the hope of some good news. The gloom was lifted at the team dinner as Chris Scarf declared that when leaving the hotel that he was struck by a prawn party ring and a frozen black forest gâteaux. He then said that it was just the fall out from Iceland. Luckily Kerry Katona didn't land on him!!!

The team CONPLAN group led by Wilkie and Andy Price have set up an Ops room to deal with the various different plans that the team have been coming up with to get us home. Dismissed out of hand was Chris's Fowke's idea of getting the Corps of Engineers Hot Air Balloon sent down (would it take off with Wilkie and Pricey in it?). Another idea from Marty Carrahar involving C130s and parachutes received equally short shrift! Needless to say the room service team have kept the brain's trust fueled up with a queue of waiters delivering burgers and chips to 'Ops Room'.

On a serious note most of the guys thoughts are with their loved ones and the boys are desperate to get home.

Big Ben

 

Extract from the News 18 Apr 10

MAGNUS Tumi Gudmundsson of the University of Iceland says winds have cleared visibility for scientists and Saturday [17 Apr 10] will be the first day they can fly above the volcano to assess the activity. Once scientists determine how much ice has melted, it will be easier to say how long the eruption could last. An ash plume that has disrupted air travel across Europe has been caused by hot magma being cooled quickly by the melting ice cap. There have been no flights in or out of the UK since Thursday 15th April 2010.

Andy Price reports - Due to the Iceland Volcano, the Army Team's return from their Cape Town Training Camp is delayed, but training continues. There is no let up!!!

Day 13 (18 Apr 10) - Ceri Cummings

GROUNDHOG day and a morning off as a larger than usual grouped headed off to church to ask for some help from up above. A near perfect team run was a reward from the efforts of the boys as the boys geared up for Wednesday's RAF match. We returned to the hotel for dinner before taking in a picture at Marty Carrahar's 'Odeon Night'. Ice creams,popcorn and coke was served by the medical staff (they have their uses) as the boys watched some spoof cinema adverts and a few episodes of 'The In Betweeners'. The news on TV seems to be more positive and we look forward to what should be a final team run before the RAF match.

CC

Day 14 (19 Apr 10) - Ian Wilkins

THE team conducted a near perfect team run today and returned to the hotel in good spirits to await news on the return flights promised by the airline. A small team led by WOII Barney Burnard lent technical support to Chinthurst Prep School from Surrey who are also touring the Cape. The majority of the team then lent vocal support to the U13s as they battled Western Cape Prep School. In a hugely entertaining game the Chinthurst boys came up short by 5 tries to 2 but still had enough energy to lay down a challenge to the watching Army squad.

Match Report

"THE Army XV led by Ben Hughes fought tooth and nail against a lively Chinthurst U13s outfit who were not afraid to dish out physical punishment to any Army offenders. The game was balanced at 2 tries a piece with a minute left. The Army forwards called a driving maul with Ben Hughes, Dave Bates and Chris Scarfe moving up the field in slow strength sapping drive. The Chithurst No7 was working right on the line of offside all match and he managed to collapse the maul and from the resulting loose ball the Chithurst backs broke out and scored! A fair result 15-10 to the Chithurst U13 boys and we wish them well on the remainder of their tour."

The evening was spent bowling at the local alley where Joe Kava showed that he is not just another pretty face......STRIKE!! The team morale is high and we expect to get movement in the next few days.

Regards Wilkie

Day 15 (20 Apr 10) - Ricky Reeves

THE team realised today that we were most probably be looking at a postponement of the RAF fixture. Morale is wavering and some good news is needed soon. The team trained well again and followed our now daily routine of room bill clearance and passport checks. Come on BA!!!!

Day 16 (21 Apr 10) - Mark Lee

THIS final postcard from the Cape (Terminal 5 at LHR actually) sees the team heading off in various trains, planes and automobiles to the four corners of the UK for a few days off before gathering to play the Royal Navy at Twickenham.

This set of circumstances came about after a mad dash to Cape Town airport by the team management after DoSR and Sec ARU had used all the patter and flannel they could muster (that's quite a lot!) to get the party on board the delayed BA flight sitting at Cape Town. The flight was long and uneventful and even Chris Brown managed to stay out of the onboard sick bay (man up Brown Dog).

Before leaving the Cape the team again managed to coach another stranded team and this time it was the U15s from Penair School in Cornwall. The lads from Cornwall enjoyed themselves as did our players.

As Cape Town becomes a distant memory, the team would like to thank the staff at WPCC, Debbie and the catering team, the Vineyard hotel team and of course Lt Col Bryan Sterne for all their help and assistance in such trying times. See you all next year.

Next stop 01 May 10 at TW1...see you there.

Skips

 

Stories From The Ashes...A Post-Script To 'Postcards From The Cape' - Season 2009-2010

THE question: What do you do with 75 rugby players from the UK who are stranded in Cape Town as victims of volcanic ash? A prompt from the tour operators Sweet Chariot gave us the answer and saw the British Army Senior XV host the touring Penair School from Truro in Cornwall.

Penair School whose motto 'Disce Ut Vivas' means 'Learn In Order To Live' arrived at the WPCC for a morning's training under the tutelage of the Senior XV Head Coach Andy Price and Skills Coach Burnie Burnard. The school boys were divided into two groups and subsequently put through their paces. On hand to help out were Senior XV players Mark Lee, Ben Hughes, Chris Budgen, Chris Scarfe, Chris Williams, Matt Dwyer and Ken Dowding.

The young Cornishmen were eager to learn and showed some real skills and enthusiasm. Old boy Tom Voyce of England and Gloucester fame would have been proud of some of the attacking play when the two sides aided by their coaches did battle in a game of grip and grab. Despite several visits to the sin bin for Matthew Dywer it was his team that were the eventually winners. The teams gave each other three cheers before an impromtu photo session and cold drink!

******

THE SOFTER SIDE OF THE ARU

WOII Dai Williams and Sgt Daz Percy were present at the President's Room, Newlands Rugby Stadium for the handover of ARU equipment to the Western Province Rugby. The handover was the idea of Sgt Daz Percy who had made a list of all the equipment being held by the Senior XV that was due for replacement or had the old kit sponsors logo. 14 Tackle Suits, 10 rugby balls and 22 pairs of shorts were handed over to Herman Abrahams, Deputy CEO of WPRC and Daniel Jones Chairman of High School Rugby within WP. Also present was Sean Friedenthal, Head Coach at Rondenbosch High School where the British Army Rugby Team had been training during their stay in the Cape.

During the visit, the CEO of WP Rugby was keen to state how much use the equipment would get in the poorer areas of Cape Town where some teams possess just the bare minimun of equipment. If any teams from the Army Rugby Union are touring the Cape then consideration should be given to passing on of strip and equipment that is approaching its sell by date.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank WPRC for their hospitality not just for that evening but for allowing us to train and play some quality teams within the Western Province area.