Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

The Army and Navy women fought out a hard match, which saw Navy beat Army 14-7. Army has dominated the Cdre Michael Dunn Cup since the inception of women’s rugby into interservice ranks in 1997, however, this year it was not meant to be. Photo by Michael Weaver, Service newspapers

It’s a tough game but someone has to play it! An Army player breaks away from the grasp of her Navy opponent.

Photo by Bill Cunneen, Service newspapers

Army girls’ tough fight

By Michael Weaver
THE Navy women’s rugby union side cut themselves a slice of history by defeating Army for the first time at the 2003 ADF Interservice Rugby Union Carnival at North Sydney Oval on June 14.

Army has dominated the Cdre Michael Dunn Cup since the inception of women’s rugby into interservice ranks in 1997, with the Navy girls this year holding on for an emphatic 14-7 victory.

Australian Wallaroos representative Leut Nyree Osieck scored all Navy’s points, with fellow former Wallaroo and Navy team captain Leut Paige Butcher leading by example.

Giving the team a tri-service flavour was Navy coach WO1 Ross Cullen, a member of the New Zealand Army.

However, his Service allegiance was put aside as he gave his team ‘Kaha’, a Maori term for inner strength, which proved a deciding factor when the contest was up for grabs in the second half.

“The girls drew with Army two years ago, so this win is their first which is great to see,” he said.

“Our tackling was significant against their bigger forwards and the girls knew what they were in for and were well prepared for it.

Navy’s plan of playing out of their half went by the wayside in the first half, with Army camped in Navy territory thanks largely to their strong scrummaging and bigger forwards.

Navy ventured out of their half just once in the opening 25 minutes and finally cracked when Army’s Sig Peta Rogers scored beside the uprights. Cpl Jorga Jones added the extras and Army led 7-0.

However, Navy responded almost immediately when Leut Osieck found a gap in the ruck and brilliantly side-stepped the defence to score a converted try to level proceedings at 7-all.

The score remained level at half-time when respective coaches realised the game was there for the taking, with Army coach WO2 Anthony Rogers not taking a backward step in getting his girls to go forward.

Ten minutes into the half and Leut Osieck left a trail in her wake as she slipped through some ordinary defence from 20m out to score a brilliant solo try under the posts.

Leut Osieck added the extras and suddenly Navy had one hand on the trophy with a 14-7 lead.

Navy held the better field position, with Army failing to get a roll on from the play that centred mostly around the ruck.

Army finished with an attack on the Navy line, but Navy’s defence held true as the full-time siren sounded with Army just five metres from crossing for a try.

Leut Osieck was suitably named player of the series at the post-match presentation.

Army – Lt Bryony Barker (10FSB), Maj Tanya Bennett (HMAS Tobruk), OCdt Sally Carter (ADFA), Cpl Melissa Perrin (110 Sig Sqn), OCdt Dani Phelps (ADFA), Sig Peta Rodgers (7 Sig Regt), Capt Jodie Forlonge (DMO-MISD), Cpl Kelly Hammant (3CSR), Pte Kelly Harding (10FSB), Cpl Lynnette Houghton (1JSU), Capt Vivian Law (HQ1JMOVGP), Cpl Jorja Jones (AMTDU), Cpl Fiona Miles (145 Sig Sqn) and Lt Renae Morris (5CSSB).

Navy – Midn Amanda Eddy (ADFA), AB Nicole Falkner (ADFWC), AB Heather Flannery (HMAS Cerberus), Midn Tina Lobban (ADFA), Smn Rebecca Manners (HMAS Newcastle), LS Stacey Omeara (HMAS Watson), Leut Nyree Osieck (HMAS Watson), Sub-Leut Di Thomas (Nuship Parramatta), AB Rebecca Weaver (SBRS) and LS Kristy Whiles (HMAS Waterhen).