The British Army defeated the USA Military side 47-17 Friday night at an intense and well-supported match at Esher RFC in England.

The British team had come in heavy favorites and took a solid lead early, but as the pieces started to fall into place for the Americans, this game turned into a very entertaining arm wrestle. USA Military Head Coach Allen Clarke had urged his players to stay in the fight, and that they did. Their physical play, tenacity, and some moments of brilliance test an Army side that, while just opening up its season, was still fairly polished.

The game began with a solemn full minute of silence for fall soldiers, with a military bugler and band on hand. Before the game both teams laid wreaths in honor of Remembrance Day (November 11) and in recognition that this was the Remebrance Match. Over 800 tickets were pre-sold for the match and the overall crowd was likely more than that.

The USA Military received the kickoff and a kick battle ensued early on. The British Army got the better of that back-and-forth and when they were able to force a scrum inside the USA half, a smart grubber from flyhalf Jack Johnson put through a try for British Army wing Connor O'Reilly.

The USA Military were on defense for a few minutes after that and were under pressure thanks to a series of penalties—penalties would haunt them throughout the match.

A maul collapse near the USA line was taken quickly and again they punished with the kick. Johnson lofted one wide for fullback Solodrau Radianirova. Johnson slotted both conversions brilliantly and it was 14-0.

Finally getting some go-forward ball, the USA Military came close to scoring. A grubber through from flyhalf Cody Melphy was chased by Colin Argue, Niko Spino, and Mattie Tago. The ball was toed ahead and Spino seemed close to scoring, but the ball rolled dead.

Still pinned back in their territory, the British Army got out of it thanks to a couple of needless penalties by the Americans. But just as they were pressing their advantage, a mistake on a quick-tap shut them down.

Still the British Army charged on. The USA Military received a warning for too many penalties in their 22 and after that it seemed inevitable that the Army would run a lineout-and-maul. That they did and hooker Sai Laudola touched it down. Johnson was good on the kick once more to make it 21-0.

And when the USA restart didn't go 10 meters, offering the British Army a scrum-center, it seemed like the lead would expand. But the USA defense worked very hard to keep the Army in check. They turned the ball over and ran a long sequence of about eight phases, with good carries from Argue and Colin Grosse. Melphy slipped though a gap and set up fullback Logan legg, who fended off one tackler and was near the tryline when he was dragged down. 

A little impatience from the USA Military led to a knock-on and a prime scoring chance gone. But moments late they got it. The USA got a penalty on a scrum and ran a tap move using No. 8 Wilisoni Vasukilakeba. The big man made some group, the forced recycled, and finally hooker KoiKoi Nelligan picked up and powered over. Melphy converted and it was 21-7.

As good teams do, the British Army responded immediately. They got were working a series of phases and had a penalty advantage. It seemed like the Army would pass it out but instead flanker Onisvoro Navagi caught the Americans a bit unawares with a pickup and charge ahead. He raced 40 meters to score. Try, conversion, and a 28-7 halftime lead.

As expected, USA Military Head Coach Clarke made some changes at the break, and each of those new players added a spark. The scrum remained a battle, but one in which the USA had their moments. A solid pack-down allowed good ball to Melphy in the middle of the field. He ran a switch move with center Niko Spino, who cut through the hole, unleashed a sidestep that made one defender fall over, and then angled brilliantly to the line for a long-range try.

The USA Military defense was a bit ragged at times but the players were filling in for each other and making tackles. The British Army, however, bolstered by the fact that the Americans were getting no love in their attempts to poach ruck ball, recycled very quickly and thus were able to find space on the edge. A mismatch of wing-vs-flanker allowed right wing Pita Ratukadreu to ran into the corner to make it 33-12.

The USA was on defense in their 22 for a long period after that. They were dogged in defense but couldn't quite get out of trouble, and a ripped ball set up a chance for Adriu Muritoki on the outside and he scored. With the conversion it was 40-12.

The USA Military answered with a superb piece of brilliance. Some excellent carries from the Military forwards, as well as from Mattie Tago, set up some room for Melphy to grubber through. He then toed the ball ahead.

The ball bounced up just before the tryline but Melphy once again nudged it ahead with his boot

"I thought about picking it up but I saw the guy coming in from the corner of my eye and decided to just kick it again," Melphy told GRR. "All I was thinking about was getting it in to score that try."

It rolled in and Melphy touched down.

That made it 40-17. The game ended with the British Army on attack and when USA Military wing Mikey Melendez blocked a pass with his hand, a penalty try for an intentional knock-on ended the match 47-17.