CASRL defence brings down a Kiwi opponent in the final game. CASRL drew with the Kiwi’s, 10 all. This photo has been digitally altered.

Photo: ABPH Yuri Ramsey

Howling winds, helicopters and disallowed tries - last month’s fiery match between the NSW Combined Services Rugby League (CASRL) team and the RNZ Airforce RL team had it all.

Tuesday, September 28 saw the CASRL team host the Eric H Cox OAM “The Bosun” Challenge at Randwick Army Barracks.

Touring Australia and playing in the three-way competition were the Royal Logistic Corp (RLC) (UK Army) and members from the RNZ Airforce RL team.

Both touring teams had coordinated their tour to enable them to experience the NRL finals and grand final.

Though both teams were looking for victory, NSW proved strong competition defeating RLC and drawing with the Kiwis.

In the first game, the NSW team narrowly defeated the RLC by two points. Having suffered two defeats on their tour to the NSW Police and Malta, the RLC came out firing on all cylinders and scored a quick converted try through an individual piece of brilliance from their half-back.

He recovered a chip kick and sidestepped two defenders to score under the posts.

In return, NSW posted two tries (PTE Benjamin Bryant and SMNCD Joshua Seaman) out wide to lead 8-6 before another individual piece of magic put the RLC in the lead 12-8 at half time.

A quick brief from the NSW coach ABCD Kev Grinham (Huon) and NSW returned to the field a better team posting a quick unconverted try to level the scores.

Deep in the second half, the RLC surrendered a penalty in front and NSW’s fourth goalkicker stepped up and converted the penalty, taking NSW two points clear.

From the ensuing set of six after the kick off, NSW ran the clock down to record a narrow victory (14 -12).

In game two, an exhausted RLC faced a tough opponent in the RNZAF.

Having expended all their energy in their first game the RLC were no match for the classy Kiwi side who fired themselves up with a Haka, having stepped off the plane just three hours prior to kick off.

The Kiwis ran away with the match 40-0 scoring nine tries though wind gusts played havoc with their kickers.

The last game of the day, NSW versus RNZAF, was then set up for the winner to take all but neither team would walk away with the win.

The first half was a battle of attrition and strong defence.

The new half combination of ABCSO Peter Coates and Seaman kept the Kiwis deep in their half throughout with a superb kicking game.

Scores were locked at nil all at half time. After the break the Kiwi’s returned to the field with the wind advantage.

In the third minute of the second half, two helicopters landed at the base causing a diversion and a quick back line move from the Kiwis saw them score under the posts, 6-0.

From the ensuing kick off NSW returned a length of the field try (SMNCD Seaman) but the elation soon turned sour as the linesman recalled the players for a forward pass early in the movement.

The ensuing scrum saw the Kiwis again score out wide to lead 10-0.

In the 30th minute of the second half, persistent attack and an inside ball saw SMNCD Kyle Arnold cross the line to bring the scores to 10-6 to the Kiwis.

Controversy again struck seven minutes later as the Kiwi’s, having scored to seal the match, were undone by the tournament officials CPL Craig Robinson/LCDR Sion Griffiths) who had been informed by the crowd that the Kiwi’s had 14 on the field.

The referee and linesman quickly conferred and disallowed the try as the 14th man scurried from the field.

From the penalty the NSW team scored out wide to tie up the match.

LSSTD Adam Thomson then set himself up for a difficult left foot kick to win the match.

The ball soared high and straight but the wind held it up.

The ball then fell onto the crossbar returning to the field of play leaving the final score at 10-10.

The captains of both the NSW Combined Services’ team, AB Peter Coates and the RNZAF, CPL Pete Lincoln, were awarded the E.H. Cox OAM Challenge trophy by Mr Ferris Ashton (Ex RAN and Kangaroo).

Best player trophies went to SMNCD Kyle Arnold (NSW), PTE Ligairi (RLC) and SGT Clayton Smith (RNZAF).

Navy players were - ABCD Kevin Grinham (Coach), ABCSO(MW) Peter Coates (Co-Captain), LSCD Chris Wright, ABCD Troy White, ABCD Brent Britliff, SMNCD Joshua Seaman, SMNCD Kyle Arnold, LSCSO(MW) Chris Brown, LSCD Jeremy Thomas, LSSTD Adam Thomson, LCDR Sion Griffiths (Tournament Director) and LSPTI Mathew Hilyard (Trainer).

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