All Golds v NW Crusaders KPL1 2017

THE ARMY GAME
WRITTEN BY DEVONIAN
Army Vets/Dorset Giants 44 – 42 Devon County
On Sunday 19th March 2017
Devon County made a trip to
Weymouth Rugby Club as part of
their promotion of “Supporting the
troops” to play a combined team
Army Vets and Dorset Giants side.
At the end of a pulsating 80
minutes, the Army/Giants prevailed
44-42.
Devon started the better with an
early try from Shaun East followed
by a powerful effort from Andrew
Smerdon for an 8-0 lead but two
tries in as many minutes gave the
Dorset side a 12-advantage thanks
to two conversions.
There was a period of stalemate
before Dorset extended their lead
with an unconverted try followed
quickly by six more points to look
quite comfortable 22-8 ahead.
Jon Ross forced his way over for a
County score converted by Jack
Keiller to cut the margin to eight
points at the break.
Both sides looked weary at the
break and Dorset were more
relieved of the breather as the
County looked to have the
momentum.
They were first to register points
as the second half got underway
and Troy Willis scored in the corner,
Keiller adding a fine goal to make
the score 22-20.
A short kick into the in-goal on
the next set was swooped upon
by Jack Sweeney and County
had the lead. They extended it to
eight points with Ross’ second try
converted by Keiller and looked to
be in control of a fast and furious
match.
However, Dorset hit back with two
tries, one converted, for a 32-30
advantage and it was game on.
Two more unconverted tries took
the home side out to a 40-30 lead
with 20 minutes remaining.
County regrouped and shook off
their tiredness to run hard and
strong to give Ross his third try,
again Keiller was on the mark with
the extras to make the score 40-36.
However, as a County player lay
injured on the pitch, there was
confusion over numbers and
County were forced to withdraw a
man giving Dorset the chance to
take advantage of the confusion to
score in the corner.
The try went unconverted and once
things were sorted out and both
sides had the requisite numbers
on the pitch, Chris Phillpot darted
across the line, Sweeney adding
the conversion to make the score
44-42.
In the final few minutes, Kye
Munslow had a try disallowed for
County and Dorset went close
themselves before County had one
last chance with two tackles and 90
metres to go but they couldn’t do
the impossible.
17
There are plans for two more
encounters between the sides this
summer. The two dates pencilled in
are 1 July in Devon and 19 August at
Swanage & Wareham RFC.
Further details will be published on
the Devon County Rugby League
and Dorset County Giants Rugby
League’s Facebook pages.
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