The Army puts on a top skill show to take out a 15-0 victory against Navy during the Interservice women's Rugby Union final in Canberra. Photo by WO2 Alan Green, 1JPAU

A WELL-drilled Army outfit proved too slick for traditional rivals Navy in its women's rugby clash on April 23, with the favourites streaking away to win 15-0 and claim the Mick Dunne Trophy.

The match, part of the 2002 Australian Services Rugby Union Carnival, was played in front of a small but appreciative crowd at ADFA's Dowsett Field.

In a bruising encounter dominated by defence, it took until the final seconds of the first half for the initial points to be registered, with a penalty kick to Army giving the side a 3-0 lead at the break.

The match had ebbed and flowed from end to end, with Navy having the bulk of possession in the opening minutes. It didn't take long for Army to gain the ascendancy, and it kept its momentum up in the second half.

A try to Army skipper LCpl Georgia Jones 15 minutes into the second stanza was just reward for Army, which rarely let Navy out of its defensive half. She duly converted to give Army a seemingly unassailable 10-0 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.

LCpl Jones crashed over for another five-pointer minutes later but the conversion was missed and Army held on for a richly deserved 15-0 victory.

She was satisfied with the win and her team's dominant performance, especially given last year Navy and Army fought out a 7-all draw.

"All the girls played well. It was a hard game and I don't think that's reflected in the score line," she said.

By Ben Caddaye