The USA Military team almost pulled off an upset Friday night, dropping a 41-33 decision to the British Army Masters in a hard-hitting and thoroughly entertaining rugby game at the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot, Hampshire.
The game was played as part of the Rugby For Remembrance series, as November 11 is just around the corner. The teams participated in a Remembrance ceremony before the match.
USA Military captain Collin Grosse put in a monumental performance, scoring three tries, making a series of crucial tackles, and generally the Army side all kinds of problems as a carrier, defender, and disruptor.
Restarts and kickoffs went the way of the kicking team in this game and that's how the game started. Army failed to catch the USA kickoff and the Americans were in prime scoring position early. A little impatience, perhaps, led to a turnover, however, and in fact in the first 12 minutes or so the USA had two excellent opportunities for tries, and failed to convert on either one.
That seemed to hurt, and when the USA Military side suffered a key injury early, they appeared to be in a bit of trouble.
However, the Americans got the ball back thanks to a Kevin harrison poach, and showed how determined they were to play with some adventure. With the midfield of Brandon Tupufia and Mattie Tago running hard and Jason Bland showing his speed out wide, they got close, and the forwards worked the close-yardage pattern. Toga fought for meters and then, with the help of Trevor Langeland, Grosse surged over for his first. Noah Cooper converted and the USA had a 7-0 lead.
The Americans turned over the ball on the restart, however, and quickly the Army side had a penalty and kicked to the corner. They mauled, were stopped, ran several phases to the line, and after another penalty, worked the maul before scoring off the back.
That made it 7-5 about midway through the first half, but it didn't remain low-scoring for long.
The USA Military responded with a brilliant team try that featured almost every play. Wing Dominic Keith zipped down the sideline and lofted an offload that was well-corralled by prop Freddie Tafuna, who was a powerhouse all night. From there the USA got a penalty, Tafuna tapped and ran, and his fellow prop, James "Doc" Irey, then charged over the line in a pile of humanity.
Cooper was once again good on the kick and it was 14-5 for the Americans.
Once again the USA turned the ball over on the restart, thanks in no small part to the hard-hitting Army Masters chasers.
A couple of penalties, including a tough one for an intentional knock-on, led to the Army once again scoring from short range. Kick good this time and it was 14-12.
Off the restart a USA tackle forced a scrum in the Army Masters half. The Americans ran a move with No. 8 Pita Qiolevu and scrumhalf Shane Palmer. That was backed up nicely by Tupufia, who committed several defenders. Grosse was in support and he sent it out through Tago to Cooper at fullback.
They cut back, recycled, and then Grosse dummied a tips pass and shrugged off two tacklers to race in from 12 meters. It was another well-worked USA team try, one that required everyone to be dialed in.
Right before halftime, the Army Masters answered again, getting a penalty after the restart, and mauling it close before they went wide. A brilliant kick closed it at USA Military 21 Army Masters 19.
