British Police begin service fixtures at Sixways with defeat vs Army

The British Police began their series of three service fixtures with a 33-19 defeat to a British Army Development XV at Sixways.

The Army side ran into a 26-0 half-time lead, but a second-half fightback saw the police run in three tries to the Army’s one.

In wet conditions at Sixways, both sides tussled for the early momentum, but two big scrum penalties within the opening quarter swung the momentum the way of the British Police – however the Army’s try-line wasn’t breached.

The police continued to pressure the Army line, but strong work from the impressive Pte Ratu Saumaki won the Army a penalty.

And the Army turned a long period of defence into attack quickly, crossing for the game's opening try with Cpl Jefeti Vakalakabure cutting a brilliant line to open the game's scoring.

Three more tries came in quick succession for the Army just before half-time, first Spr Harry Johnson crossing after excellent work from Saumaki and Cfn Ben Hurford-John to spot the pass inside to allow Johnson to run in.

The third and fourth tries both came from the Army’s pack first second-row Fus Jack Sullivan darting in under the sticks before replacement prop Lt Callum Varrall burrowed over from close range to give the Army a four-try lead at the break.

Sullivan crossed for a second-try early in the second half to extend his side's lead, but the second-row saw yellow soon after, which allowed the British Police to fight back.

The first try came through replacement John Smith, who danced through a hole in the Army defence to add his side's first of the evening as the game headed into the final quarter.

Much of the final stages of the game were played in the Army 22, with only resolute defence stopping more than three police tries.

But the hosts did manage to cross twice more, with West Midlands Police scrum-half Greg Smith getting both of them – first from a snipe from a ruck before darting off a driving maul for his second of the game in the final play.

Title Photo - Nick B Images

The British Police are back at Sixways in both February against the Royal Air Force and March against the Royal Navy.

The game against the RAF in February will see Springbok legend Bismarck Du Plessis as the guest speaker for the VIP Dining in the East Stand.

Tickets are available for both games at https://sixways.flicket.io/

British Police 19

T – John Smith 61’, Greg Smith 73’, 79’

C – Scott Jones 73’, 79’

British Army Development XV 33

T – Jefeti Vakalakabure 23’, Harry Johnson 30’, Jack Sullivan 37’, 46’, Callum Varrall 40’

C – Jesse Ribeiro 23’, 30’, 37’, 46’

YC – Jack Sullivan 54’, Inoke Baidrau 78’

British Police Team

15 Gus Twaddle, 14 Paul Wigley, 13 Mike Donegan, 12 Liam Checksfield, 11 Dexter Ryde, 10 Tom Jennings, 9 Joe Dunn; 1 Luke Griffiths Dawes, 2 Jordan Lord, 3 Juan Phyper, 4 Lewis Burley, 5 Llyr Griffiths ©, 6 Rob Brown, 7 Fin Barnes, 8 Jake Bennett

Replacements – Niall Sutherland, Luke Turton, Will Barradell, Jake Stewart, Scott Jones, Greg Smith, Greg Walker, Tom Davies, Ollie Newton, John Smith

British Army Development XV Team

15 Gnr Tagiutuima, 14 Cfn Hurford-John, 13 Cpl Vakalakabure, 12 Rfn Diamond, 11 Gnr Baidrau, 10 Capt Ribeiro ©, 9 Spr H Johnson; 1 Lbdr Vasutraga, 2 Spr T Johnson, 3 LCpl Dodd, 4 Sgt Beevor, 5 Fus Sullivan, 6 LCpl Walker, 7 Pte Saumaki, 8 Cfn Tabua

Replacements – Pte Guy, Lt Varrall, Pte Prudence, Lt Kinnersley, LCpl Goneqali, Gdmn Saiki, Bdr Hold, LBdr Rabale, Spr Kanaenabogi, Cpl Riley