Next came the women's match, and scary does not begin to describe it. I would liken the event to the England [53] vs South Africa [3] match at Twickenham in 2002 where bodies were strewn in the wake of charging bulls! Suffice to say the Army were celebrating their second victory of the day with a 46 - 0 massacre of the Royal Air Force, and celebrations started early...
The Army pack was superb. The lightening quick back three Isoa Damudamu (4 Scots and England 7s player, and tall and gorgeous and so polite!), Gareth Libbey (RE) and Ledua Jope (AGC) squeezed the life out of the RAF to construct attacking positions in almost every corner of the park. The heavy cavalry thundered in to ruck and maul led by Rob Sugden (Coldm Gds) who has come of age in an Army shirt. The virtuoso performance didn’t even stutter when Ben Hughes (RE) was sin-binned for ‘over exuberance’.
It was set piece dominance and exploitation of the long line-out that enabled the Army to create a plethora of openings through and round the first line of the air defence. Not everything went to hand but when it did it was magic. Peceli Nacamavuto (RE) glided into space before turning on the gas. New cap Malakai Magnus (RLC), ever flying towards the try line, celebrated with two tries from the Fijian text book of scores to remember.
The Reds played with authority and imagination and yet too many final passes went astray to rank this as a classic. Individuals performed to the very highest of standards and above all it was good to see skipper Mal Roberts (RLC), [who spookily looks very much like a young version of Anthony LaPaglia from 'Without A Trace'] back to his rip-roaring best. Roberts turned in a superb try, converted it and put the icing on six others.
The RAF had their moments but too frequently entered the defensive cul-de sac and were forced to kick. Roberts, fielding well in the not very bright lights, turned defence into attack, Nacamavuto ran cleverly in support and one of the back row was inevitably on hand to set up an attacking ruck. All good stuff appreciated by an enthusiastic crowd.
The Army prevailed by eight tries to one to claim another ‘winner-takes –all’ battle against the Royal Navy at Twickenham. The Royal Air Force, led in to every tight corner by the veteran No 8 Howard Parr, never let go and they will feel aggrieved that they left Aldershot with only bruises to show for their valiant efforts to stem the inevitable tide of Reds’ jerseys.
Coach Andy Price (Welsh Guards), a shy and retiring quietly spoken man of few words [OK OK already! I'm lying! He's the complete opposite and hilarious to boot!] said "the team went through the gears with a fair amount of style and, in bursts, hit a new level. The new caps were given a chance and did particularly well but we all have work to do".
The Army beat the RAF by 54 points to 10 at Aldershot. It could have been closer to a ton if the Swiss style intricacies of the Army attacks had matched perfectly the galloping dynamics of their general play.
ARMY 54 RAF 10
Twickenham beckons. The Army knows the Royal Navy will be a different kettle of fish. Their big men will test the Army's defences like no time in the last ten years. Saturday 5th May...Twickenham...Bring It On!
But before I go, may I thank the Army Rugby Union for the kind hospitality they have afforded RFTG - Men In Shorts, and for the subtle suggestion that we should rename the magazine 'RFTG - Tarts For Rugby Players' [thanks again Lt Col AA!], and that we should start a dating site for Army chaps, though if we did, we would just have to include the Navy too, and frankly who wouldn't want a pilot notch on the bedpost, so it would have to cover the entire military. And lastly, a special mention to the George Clooney-esque Major Jason Jeffrey, aka JJ, who was the perfect host as well as chauffeur [and ferried us around in a Bentley no less!], and has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. And just so you don't miss out on what a pleasant sight he was, here's JJ...
Make sure you check out the site over the next few days as we bring you exclusive 'Up Close & Personal' interviews with the Captain, Mal Roberts, England 7s hunk, Isoa Damudamu, behind the scenes and training day galleries, as well as all the action directly from Twickenham.
Photography: Tej Virdee
The Army Veterans began their attempt to regain the Inter-Services Crown, which was snatched away in the last second of last season, 
with a comprehensive victory over their RAF counterparts. New Head Coach, substantially handsome Capt Ian Wilkins (AGC) had rung the changes and half of the 22-man squad were being capped for the first time. This mix of fresh blood and experience clearly worked as the Army sprinted out of the blocks and never looked to be in any serious danger from an aggressive Vultures side. A couple of early penalties by debutant fly-half WO1 Dean Hammett (RLC) settled the nerves before a well worked team try extended the first half lead. Slick hands enabled the ball to reach the delightful winger and manager WO1 Hywel Thomas (REME) who was stopped just short of the line. The Army's omnipresent open-side WO1 Lee Woodhouse (AAC) was there to secure the ball and Capt Ewen Cameron (REME) made a valiant attempt at the try line but was stopped by some last ditch defence before the ball was finally swung back out to the backs and a well worked miss move enabled LCpl Tom-Tom Turagebeci (RLC) to go over under the posts.
The Army turned around 13-0 up but were aware that it should have been more. They set about rectifying this early in the second half and Hammett came very close when, unaware that he was being ably supported by the highly amusing WO2 Mark Botten (RLC), decided to take a direct approach through two RAF defenders, and whilst the mind was willing the body wasn’t and one dislocated shoulder AC joint later saw the end of his match. The Army pack had been dominant throughout and no-one more so than tight-head Sgt Andy Jackson (AGC) who was destroying his opposite number in the set piece. Three collapsed scrums by the pressurised RAF 8 saw the referee lose patience and award a well-deserved penalty try. 
The Army’s final try came from a well rehearsed back row move; and I'm sure it was absolutely thrilling, but there's another two matches to go yet so lets move on...With one lock, the terribly tall and
interestingly charming SSgt Andy Smith (RLC), already taking all kicks from hand up stepped the other, SSgt Kev Davies (RE) to nail the conversion from the touch line. Oh, and the RAF Vultures managed to score a couple of consolation tries too - not quite the predators they had hoped to be. 
